Arr! A scurvy dog sues the American Diabetes Association, claimin' a sneaky scheme with Splenda, matey!
2023-11-16
Avast ye scallywags! A former matey from the American Diabetes Association be takin' 'em to court! She claims she got the ol' heave-ho for speakin' out against their sneaky 'pay-to-play' game with Splenda, a sweeter than a treasure chest of doubloons! Arrr, what a scandal!
In a humorous tone fitting for a 17th-century pirate, a former director of nutrition for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has sued the non-profit organization, claiming she was fired for objecting to a "pay to play" scheme promoting the no-calorie sweetener Splenda. Elizabeth Hanna alleges that the ADA violated its own nutrition guidelines and standards of care by selling its good name to sponsors like Splenda maker Heartland Food Products Group. She specifically accuses ADA Vice President Nicole Johnson of engaging in a targeted campaign of retaliation. The ADA and Johnson deny all allegations and plan to respond in court. Heartland also denies involvement in any scheme.The ADA's mission is to educate the public about diabetes and lists Splenda as one of its corporate sponsors. Splenda publishes "diabetes-friendly recipes" endorsed by the ADA on its website. However, Hanna, a registered dietitian nutritionist, refused to approve the endorsement of several of these recipes, including a cucumber salad recipe containing 1/3 cup of Splenda. Hanna deemed the recipe inconsistent with ADA nutrition guidelines and believed the endorsement was motivated solely by Splenda's financial contribution.
Hanna states that Johnson pressured her to approve the recipes despite her objections, leading her to complain to the ADA's human resources department. Although Johnson's ability to review Hanna was removed, she allegedly continued to complain about Hanna within the organization. Hanna's complaint also cites recent studies suggesting potential health risks associated with artificial sweeteners, including cancer, elevated blood sugar, and diabetes.
Hanna claims she was fired for pretextual reasons in October and is now seeking unspecified money damages, accusing the ADA of violating New Jersey law protecting employees from retaliation. The ADA's response to the lawsuit and the outcome of the case remain to be seen.