Cofounder

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

Matcha may affect iron absorption, but you shouldn't really worry about it

Matcha has increased in popularity of the last few years, but with it, so have rumous about potential harms. We unpack the evidence in this fact check.
FACT CHECK
Opinion
Nutrition

Fact-checking whether carnivore diet babies are “super babies”?

Some influencers are claiming that babies on a carnivore diet become "super babies" - but what does the evidence say?
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...
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

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.
A spread of plant based protein foods including tofu, chickpeas, lentils, beans, nuts, seeds and leafy greens in bowls
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
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