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From:	Mark Rifkin (rifkin.vegsource.com)
Subject:	Change corp sponsors by changing the recipients
Date:	October 4, 2008 at 11:03 pm PST

Hi All,

Many veg'ns complain of the influence of corporate sponsorships on organizations such as the American Dietetic Association. Current ADA sponsors include The National Dairy Council, 6 major food corps (Coke, Pepsico, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Mars) and 3 major drug companies. Even though some of these companies make vegan foods, and some of their products may even be healthy, do we want our nutrition authorities beholden to these outside interests?

There is currently a debate raging within ADA on the propriety of these sponsorships. That there is any debate at all is a huge improvement over 25 years ago, when there would have been no debate at all.

However, the leadership and some dietitians defend the sponsorships, calling them necessary and useful. If we are to change the influence of these corporate sponsors, we need to change the makeup of the membership of the ADA. In short, we need more veg'n voices to challenge the sponsorships.

Be all you can be, and commit yourself to becoming a member of the army of veg'n dietitians. There will be challenges of many types, but your new credentials (RD) will give you instant credibility in the eyes of other dietitians and the eyes of the public. Changing the makeup of the ADA is a critical. Our health and the health of the animals and the planet depend on it.

Mark Rifkin
Baltimore

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