Cofounder & Research Director (Volunteer)

Elise Hutchinson, PhD

Elise is a cofounder of foodfacts.org, she has a PhD in cognitive linguistics and focuses on fighting misinformation & creating meaningful debate.

About Elise Hutchinson, PhD

Elise is one of the founders of foodfacts.org. She is a linguistics professional who was awarded Summa Cum Laude for her PhD thesis, which focused on the cognitive and discursive mechanisms behind effective persuasion, particularly in the long term. She is passionate about finding ways to fight against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and to generate meaningful, constructive debates.

She is Director of Research and Co-Editor in Chief at foodfacts.org. Her responsibilities include:

  • Conducting research into misinformation, its mechanisms and evidence-based methods to fight it effectively
  • Training all of our volunteer fact-checkers
  • Overseeing the fact-checking process, from selecting claims to fact-checks, writing fact-checks to editing final drafts
  • Content creation

Elise earned her PhD at the Université de Neuchâtel and currently lives in England.

Articles featuring  

Elise Hutchinson, PhD

FACT CHECK
Opinion
Media Literacy

Untangling microwaves myths: a physics-based reality check

Microwaves don’t “scramble” your food’s energy. Here’s what physics says about how they really work.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Fibre under fire: debunking Eddie Abbew's claims that humans don’t need it

We fact-check recent claims by Eddie Abbew that fibre isn't essential, reviewing the science on its role in digestion, immunity, and long-term disease prevention.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Toxic bread or TikTok panic? What you should know about azodicarbonamide (aka the yoga mat chemical)

This fact-check examines the science and context behind claims that the presence of azodicarbonamide, aka 'the yoga mat chemical', in bread products is unsafe.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Paul Saladino’s anti-folic acid advice for pregnant women is not just wrong—it could be dangerous

Folic acid in pregnancy: evidence-based guidance vs. viral claims. We explain what Paul Saladino’s claims show - and don’t show - plus red flag checks.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Media Literacy

Exposing misinformation: how influencers twist the truth on social media

Misinformation Detractors: How Social Media Influencers Deflect Accountability in Nutrition Conversations
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Beyond Headlines: Fact-checking The Telegraph’s claims on the health effects of plant-based alternatives

If headlines had nutrition labels, some would read: 'High in spin, low in substance.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Bananas vs. Mars bars: an unnecessary comparison

The Telegraph's comparison between bananas and Mars bars raises questions. What does scientific evidence reveal about this claim?
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Paul Saladino M.D says "Champions need meat!"

Champions eat meat... but some are also plant based. What we all need, is to fact-check bold dietary claims.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Environment

Examining Paul Saladino's response to Sir David Attenborough's claims on meat sustainability

Paul Saladino reacts to Sir David Attenborough's recommendation to adopt largely plant-based diets for sustainability reasons. This fact-check examines Saladino's arguments and the evidence he uses to support the claim that the earth can sustain more meat eaters.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Is ginger good for you? Or are the benefits of this "superfood" overstated?

Many people eat ginger when they're feeling unwell, but are ginger's health benefits anecdotal or based in evidence? We find out in this fact-check!
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Media Literacy

Exposing misinformation: how influencers twist the truth on social media

Misinformation Detractors: How Social Media Influencers Deflect Accountability in Nutrition Conversations