07/14/00 Nutrition in Cyberspace…What Consumers Need to Know

Nutrition in Cyberspace…What Consumers Need to Know

For Fast, Credible Information, Visit www.eatright.org

For Immediate Release
Contact: Bridget McManamon, Lori Ferme
800/877-1600, ext. 4769, 4802
(Please do not publish these numbers)

Chicago -- June 21, 2000 -- Food and nutrition information is proliferating in cyberspace. Your computer can direct you to breaking nutrition news, dietary guidelines, healthful recipes, nutrition resources, labeling information, government agencies, and even the chance to "chat" with professionals. Like other media, the "information super highway" is also littered with misinformation. Use the same healthy skepticism with on-line information that you use to evaluate other nutrition information. For credible, science-based nutrition information, log on to the American Dietetic Association's Web site www.eatright.org.

Look for signs to determine if the Web site provides information you can trust. Does it...

  • Identify the sponsor or owner of the site? (That’s your clue to the site’s perspective and potential bias.)
  • Name contributors with their credentials, and perhaps an affiliation? (No matter what the media, credible information comes from qualified nutrition experts, such as registered dietitians.)
  • Provide facts with cited sources, not just opinions? (Look for information supported by established scientific findings.)
  • Link to credible on-line sites? (Other sites may have supporting data or guidelines.)
  • Indicate regular updates and postings? (Credible Web sites are updated often to offer the most current advice. Caution: being current doesn’t make it accurate. The site needs to pass other tests of credibility.)

With nearly 70,000 members, ADA is the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the world.

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