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Big Food

Examining how the food industry influences public discourse and regulation, and the global spread of ultra-processed and high-sugar products.

The Examination
The Examination
Big Food

Draft UN declaration rolls back proposed restrictions on sugary drinks, tobacco

Calls for sugar taxes, nondescript packaging for tobacco and restrictions on alcohol advertising were removed during negotiations ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in September.

August 14, 2025
The Examination
Big Food

A scientist is paid to study maple syrup. He’s also paid to promote it.

Funded by the maple industry, a researcher has exaggerated his findings to suggest that syrup could help prevent serious diseases.

April 15, 2025
The Examination
Big Food

Trump administration cuts threaten already-strained food safety system

Experts say the FDA’s watchdog for America’s food supply is uniquely vulnerable to ongoing federal cutbacks – which could make the system even more reliant on companies policing themselves.

March 17, 2025

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The Examination
Big Food

As drinking habits shift, global alcohol industry fights to stay ahead

Alcohol companies are targeting new markets and dodging regulation worldwide while excess drinking causes millions of deaths each year.

August 28, 2024
The Examination
Big Food

Lead-tainted applesauce pouches sailed through gaps in US food safety system

Hundreds of American children were poisoned last year. Records show how, time and again, the contamination went unnoticed across borders.

February 27, 2024
The Examination
Big Food

How lead-tainted applesauce pouches ended up in US stores

Investigations by The Examination, The New York Times and El Universo uncovered food safety lapses that caused hundreds of children to be poisoned by cinnamon that went from Sri Lanka to Ecuador to the United States.

February 29, 2024

Influencing the influencers

The Examination
Big Food

As obesity rises, Big Food and dietitians push 'anti-diet' advice

General Mills warns of “food shaming"; dietitian influencers promote junk foods and discourage weight loss efforts.

April 3, 2024
The Examination
Big Food

Snack recipe or advertising? Some dietitians now say who’s paying them

December 13, 2023

Always enjoyed your content but honestly I’m pretty shocked that you would not disclose that to your audience.

The Examination
Big Food

US regulator cracks down on food industry for paid dietitian ‘influencer’ posts

November 15, 2023
The Examination
Big Food

The food industry pays 'influencer’ dietitians to shape your eating habits

Registered dietitians are being paid to post videos that promote diet soda, sugar and supplements on Instagram and TikTok.

September 13, 2023
The Examination
Big Food

Help us report on nutrition influencers on social media

We’re continuing to report on this issue and we need your help.

September 13, 2023

More big food coverage

The Examination
Big Food

A decade after its pioneering food law, where does Chile’s obesity crisis stand?

While studies show that food products, consumer habits and awareness have changed, experts say that it can take decades for obesity rates to budge.

March 13, 2024
The Examination
Big Food

Soda industry playbook on display in South Africa's sugar tax battle

As taxes aimed at reducing sugary drink consumption have been adopted around the world, health advocates face familiar pushback from the sweetened-beverage industry.

October 13, 2023