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
Health

No, the medical community has not reversed its position on high cholesterol

A new Keto study made waves on social media. We examine how its findings were received by the scientific community—and how they were reported by the Daily Mail
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Influencer suggests Easter candy treats are dangerous. Here's what you need to know

This is part of a social media trend advocating for food swaps that will instantly improve your health. But it misses the big picture, read on to find out more
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Eddie Abbew’s claims on red meat: what you need to know

Eddie Abbew claims that eating red meat only for a month is the best way to reduce inflammation, but how does this compare to the scientific evidence?
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Seed oils are in baby formula for a reason. Here’s why it matters

For parents who cannot naturally breastfeed their babies, infant formulas provide a lifeline.
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