The Health Council has severely criticised her for failing to disclose her collaboration with a Harvard professor who promised the alcohol industry favourable scientific results. Together, they worked on a large-scale study that came under fire due to the influence of the alcohol industry. The study was partly funded by major alcohol producers such as Heineken, AB InBev and Diageo.
Professor Joline Beulens was paid by the alcohol industry for publications in which she concluded that moderate drinking is beneficial in terms of the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Beulens acknowledges that in the past she has not always been transparent about the funding she received from the alcohol industry.
Why is this important?
Alcohol guidelines form the basis for government policy and are translated into public-facing communications about responsible drinking. If industry interests influence the science behind these guidelines, this can have major consequences for public health.
How was this investigated?
The Investigative Desk and Follow the Money analysed scientific publications, (internal) documents from the alcohol lobby and documents from Freedom of Information requests, and spoke to scientists and lobbying experts.
The investigation ‘Under the Influence: The Battle over Alcohol Labelling in Brussels’ was made possible with the support of the Pascal Decroos Fund for Investigative Journalism, the FPD Science and the European Cross-border Grants from Journalismfund Europe.
Read more (Dutch): Gezondheidsraad zet hoogleraar die banden had met de drankindustrie uit commissie
