Students from the International Health & Social Management and European Health Economics & Management programs conducted a research project within the course Global Health Policies, together with their professor Raffael Heiss. The study, co-authored by 18 students, has now been published in the peer-reviewed journal World Nutrition.
Amelie Sigge, who was was a masterstudent when the course was held and is now a PhD student and project assistant at the Center for Social & Health Innovation, took the co-lead as co-first author of the study. Furthermore, Dr. Melissa Mialon (Université Paris Cité, Inserm), a leading researcher on industry influence in nutrition research and policy, co-authored the paper.
The study, titled “Non-profit organizations as strategic arms of the food and beverage industry: Case studies in Europe” (World Nutrition, 16(3), 47–57), examines how industry-funded non-profit organizations (NPOs) can shape scientific debate and policy processes. By analyzing five European organizations — including ILSI Europe, EUFIC, the British Nutrition Foundation, FEN, and Forum Ernährung Heute — the authors show that many maintain close ties to the food and beverage industry while presenting themselves as independent actors.
Such organizations may influence science communication and public opinion in ways that align with industry interests. The study highlights the need for stronger transparency rules and conflict-of-interest regulations to protect public health and ensure independent policymaking.
Students publish study in World Nutrition (AI-generated)
International Health & Social Management | Master
European Health Economics & Management | Master
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