When RDs Include Coca-Cola on Their List of Good Snack Ideas Who Pays?

A few days ago AP reporter Candice Choi covered the story of RDs who as part of a Coca-Cola funded black history month campaign, included Coca-Cola on their list of healthy/smart snack options which ultimately led to this from The Onion,

Report: Coca-Cola Paid Experts To Say Soda Is A Healthy Snack http://t.co/2PziM7k2ol #WhatDoYouThink? pic.twitter.com/iGs8R3o2M6

— The Onion (@TheOnion) March 17, 2015

The Coke loving RDs, Robyn Filipse and Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, stand by their recommendations and to paraphrase from Choi's piece, reject the notion that being paid by Coca-Cola is/was an influence.

This past week also saw the sale of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Kids Eat Right logo to Kraft to place on their "pasteurized processed cheese product" Kraft Singles - much to the chagrin on many RDs. That move even hit The Daily Show where Jon Stewart took aim,

It was only a matter of time. Now the rest of America can laugh. #repealtheseal #rdchat @kidseatright @thedailyshow pic.twitter.com/L7EjMxuCY9

— AshleyColpaart MS RD (@ashleyrdtx) March 18, 2015

and where according to Andy Bellatti (I haven't seen the episode yet), Stewart skewered the Academy with this zinger,

. @TheDailyShow on @eatright: "... an Academy in the same way Kraft Singles are cheese."

— Andy Bellatti MS, RD (@andybellatti) March 18, 2015

In short, it hasn't been a great week optically for RDs, and many of my RD friends have expressed their frustration that the actions of a few, or of their organizations, are casting shadows on their profession. I don't disagree, and am rooting for this petition, started by 3 frustrated RDs to not only "repeal the seal", but also to further what seems to be a much needed discussion about public-private programs, policies, and partnerships and whether or not they help or harm, their profession as a whole.