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

Gut health vs. life-threatening peanut allergies: Why one viral story doesn’t equal a safe cure

Candi Frazier claims that you can cure severe allergies through healing your gut? Before people start swapping their EpiPen for sauerkraut, let's examine what the evidence says.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Health

Is excess iron a cancer risk? Debunking Dr Eric Berg’s claim with peer-reviewed evidence

Dr Eric Berg says that it's possible to "never get cancer" by avoiding iron supplements and cast iron cookware. We analyse the evidence, clarify the science, and highlight why context matters when interpreting absolute health claims.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Media Literacy

“I changed my diet and got pregnant”: What’s the evidence behind these claims?

Does the carnivore diet really help with fertility, or are people misrepresenting the evidence? We explore this in this fact-check.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Ethics

Joe Wicks "Licensed to Kill" sparked a global conversation on ultra-processed foods—what comes next?

Joe Wicks’ recent Channel 4 documentary, Licensed to Kill, has achieved something worth acknowledging: it has made people talk. Let's continue the conversation.
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

Are vegan men 'frail' and more likely to die young? What does the data suggest?

John Ely of the Daily Mail claims that vegan men are “frail” and face a higher risk of early death, based on his interpretation of a recent study.
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
Environment

“Almond milk and veggie burgers can harm the environment” Says media on new Oxford University Study; are plant-based foods worse for the environment?

Critics love to drag almond milk, but the science says it’s still a climate-friendlier sip than dairy
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Environment

Elon Musk claims animal agriculture makes no difference to global warming

Even the smartest minds can get it wrong—especially when they sidestep the science on food and climate
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