— OPINION —
By Steve Gibb
Frustrated by liars? Tired of how much misinformation spreads from podcaster bros, influencers and dubious sources? Wondering what you can do about it?
A recent University of Maryland conference found that misinformation is mistaken data and disinformation is intentionally misleading. Unfortunately, both call for pushback or poor decisions result.
The spread of misinformation means it’s time to stand up for facts when we identify it. Highlight why facts are critical to public safety. Push back on misinformation with science and transparency in public discussions.
Many readers’ food science conversations occur during the workday but there are opportunities to engage others as we go about our day. This is particularly true at mealtimes with friends and family as food is always a relevant topic. There also may be a chance to talk about the science aspects of topics that come up with your neighbors. Or maybe a ‘teachable moment’ presents a way to emphasize that evidence is best for decisions. Whatever form it takes, standing up for facts is key.
As ascience nonprofit IAFNS promotes public health by ensuring science addresses impactful problems and benefits society by communicating findings responsibly. We carefully mobilize knowledge based on our scientific papers. By issuing news releases and other outreach IAFNS ensures the science we catalyze is both transparent to the public and gets into the hands of the right people. This includes those who can most use the information like dietitians, researchers, farmers, company managers or government administrators.
Transparency and a close focus on caveats and unknowns prevents misinformation. And new research adds to the pool of scientific data that inform what we eat at mealtimes. IAFNS’ cross-sector model supports relevant science that addresses meaningful problems and it does so by relying on the input of academic, industry and government scientists.
Recognizing that misinformation can pose challenges in navigating health and our diets is important. IAFNS is a science-focused organization, whose mission is to catalyze research with positive impacts on food safety and nutrition. Over our 4-year history we’ve supported the publication of 83 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Combined with the 44 webinar and conference events we held in 2024, we’ve reached tens of thousands of professionals, illustrating how science is at the center of our mission.
At a recent conference on mis/disinformation at the University of Maryland Dr. Jess Steier presented on resources she developed like “Unbiased Science” that taps experts and communicates accurately on health and more. According to Dr. Steier, “It is critical that objective, dispassionate, unbiased science be communicated in a way that is understandable and accessible to all.” Unbiased Science is on all major social media channels, creates podcasts and more.
Many internet-users also rely on SNOPES to assess dubious reports, and the Jed Foundation has resources on combating mis/disinformation as well. To clarify: misinformation is mistaken data and disinformation is intentionally misleading. Both warrant active disagreement. There are many other resources online for assessing assertions of truth and finding useful evidence. But it all starts with being a critical and skeptical reader who evaluates evidence and its source before making decisions. That’s why IAFNS elevates transparency in all that we do so readers can see how the evidence was formed and make judgments about the quality of the information we share.
The following principles can help evaluate the basis and credibility of truth-claims out there. Does the information provider and the data itself demonstrate the following? Integrity (details on data gathering, analysis and documentation to support honest and fair independent review.) Objectivity (minimizing conflicts of interest or personal biases that could skew results and use evidence to revise or reject hypotheses.) Transparency (clearly documenting methods, data and results so others can verify or replicate findings, open data sharing where appropriate.) Collaboration (promoting cooperation and a variety of perspectives, properly crediting sources through citations and avoiding plagiarism.) Keeping these in mind may serve as a guide when evaluating suspect information and its source.
Standing by facts and insisting on science is the way forward through the challenges posed by mis/disinformation in the food safety sphere and in the broader society. Food safety is built on trust, expertise and disciplined production processes. Talk about your scientific knowledge with friends and community members and highlight why facts are critical to public safety. Continuously learning about credible science, applying it your work, summarizing and posting about it, all help us insist on the primary role evidence should play in our work and beyond.
We need technical people to stand up for science if we are going to govern our food safety system and ourselves effectively over the next 10-20 years. The spread of misinformation means it’s time to stand up for facts when it counts. Push back on misinformation with science and transparency in public discussions. Join us as we take on misinformation and insist on science and evidence in decision-making.
About the author: Steve Gibb, M.S. is Science Communications Manager at the Institute for the Advancement of Food & Nutrition Sciences. The Institute is a non-profit organization that catalyzes science for the benefit of public health.
