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
Health

Does eating croissants really raise cancer risk? Fact-checking France’s cadmium warning and what it means for the UK

France’s cadmium warning is real, but croissants aren’t uniquely “cancerous” – the risk comes from lifelong exposure to cadmium in many staples.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Can a cup of lemon balm tea really melt fat overnight?

Lemon tea and magnesium may help you unwind, but current studies don’t show a bedtime drink can melt belly fat by “lowering cortisol” or hacking your hormones.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

How viral posts about "unnatural" apples may be missing what the science actually shows

Modern apples have been selectively bred, but does that make them bad for you? The science suggests otherwise.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

No, pork isn’t a superfood: How one tiny study spawned misleading ‘live longer’ headlines

Debunk the viral “pork helps you live longer” claim with an evidence-based breakdown of the study, its limitations, and what nutrition science really says.
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

No, honey isn’t unhealthy because it spikes your blood sugar, but why does this influencer say the opposite?

We break down the flawed logic behind judging honey by a single spike—and explain what the evidence actually says
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

FDA bans the use of Red No.3 in food because of links to cancer. What’s the actual risk?

The FDA’s ban on Red No. 3 is more about outdated legal requirements than new evidence of harm
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Eddie Abbew claims calorie deficit should not be the main concern with fat loss. What does the data say?

Eddie Abbew questions the calorie deficit model—but this article explains why fat loss still depends on it, with some key context
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

No, plant-based milks are not causing depression, but why does the media say the opposite?

Based on a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, media outlets are claiming plant-based drinks increase depression risk.
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