Cofounder & Research Director (Volunteer)

Elise Hutchinson, PhD

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

About Elise

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.

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

Articles featuring  

Elise Hutchinson, PhD

FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Garlic and blood pressure: what the evidence shows and what it doesn’t

Can garlic replace blood pressure medication? We unpack the science, the hype, and why balanced dietary patterns still matter most.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Media Literacy

How analogies shape nutrition debates: power and limitations to be aware of

From the Glucose Goddess comparing glucose to cavities to Dr. Berg calling canola oil “engine lubricant,” nutrition analogies go viral. We unpack the risks and share tips on how to spot misleading comparisons.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Does infant formula cause autism? Why the science says no, and why raw goat’s milk is not a safe alternative

Does formula cause autism? Is raw goat’s milk safe for infants? Here’s what research really says about these feeding claims.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Media Literacy

Beyond ingredient panic: how to make better food choices together

Beyond fear and false villains: build common ground, demand accountability, and refocus nutrition on evidence—not algorithms or profit.
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
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

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
Nutrition

“Not real food”? Says Eddie Abbew. A closer look at claims about tempeh, soy, and men’s health.

Eddie Abbew’s statements dismiss the nutritional value of soy-based foods like tempeh, mischaracterise soy’s impact on hormones, and promote an overly narrow definition of what constitutes “real” food.
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