Opinion: Transparent Collaborations on Social Media

Written by: Tatiana Vélez, MS, RD, CSSD, LND, CPT

Tatiana Velez, a young woman who is a sports dietitian and nutrionist with long hair smiling at the camera.

Recently, there has been significant discussion on social media regarding ethics and transparency in the promotion of food products, especially by dietitians who are also influencers, following a recent article published by The Washington Post.

In this context, it is important to understand the responsibility that comes with being a dietitian and how it differs from product promotion by influencers who do not have formal nutrition training.

Dietitians are healthcare professionals with years of experience and graduate-level education in nutrition. Our rigorous training allows us to provide evidence-based guidance on topics related to food and nutrition. In addition, we follow a professional code of ethics that guides our practice and ensures that our recommendations are made in the best interest of public health.

One of the concerns that has emerged is the lack of transparency in product promotions by some dietitian influencers on social media. This raises important questions about accountability, ethical advertising, and public trust in the information we share.

In my personal experience as a dietitian, I avoid mentioning specific brands in my posts. When I do, I clearly identify the brand and campaign to disclose that the content is sponsored. Personally, I have only done two collaborations throughout my career as a dietitian, and I clearly disclosed them on social media. I also provide context in my messaging so followers understand why I am promoting a product and what my professional opinion is based on my nutrition knowledge and experience. I always strive to include educational context in the nutrition messages I share.

It is important to highlight that, as dietitians, we carefully evaluate opportunities to promote products from both a nutritional and ethical perspective. We do not accept collaborations for products that fail to meet our professional standards because our priority is always the health and well-being of the public.

Additionally, it is essential to clarify that most dietitians do not receive money from the food industry. Product promotion is the exception rather than the norm in our profession, and only occurs when we are confident that a product aligns with our standards and provides nutritional value. The few dietitians who participate in paid collaborations are expected to follow FTC (Federal Trade Commission) guidelines to clearly disclose sponsored content. This transparency is essential to maintaining public trust.

In contrast, some influencers who are not dietitians may lack professional expertise in nutrition and may not follow a similar ethical code. This creates a significant issue, as audiences may receive inaccurate or biased nutrition information. A lack of transparency in product promotions can also undermine trust in health-related recommendations overall.

In summary, dietitians are healthcare professionals committed to providing accurate, ethical, and evidence-based information about nutrition and food.

Our education and professional experience allow us to evaluate products and brand collaborations responsibly and scientifically. Most dietitians do not receive compensation from the food industry, and those who do follow strict transparency and ethical standards. Integrity and transparency are fundamental to our work on social media so the public can trust our recommendations regarding nutrition. We strive to provide context in the nutrition information we share so people can make informed decisions, and we avoid making broad or misleading claims about foods or nutritional products.