Food And Beverage Giant Accused Of Marketing Fraud

This case involves a class action against a food and beverage giant following the launch of a microwavable food product. The new product was marketed as a healthy, low-calorie dinner alternative. It was later discovered that the product contained high-fat ingredients, unhealthy preservatives, and artificial flavors. It was alleged that the food and beverage giant used misleading advertising to sell its products. An expert in nutrition and dietetics was sought to discuss the effect that these types of ingredients can have on the body.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Please describe your research experience in this area.

2. Have you been published or lectured on this topic?

Expert Witness Response E-103827

I have a Ph.D. in nutritional sciences, a master's degree in public health in behavioral sciences, and a bachelor's degree in science in nutrition and dietetics. I am also a registered dietitian. I currently work as an assistant professor of nutrition at a southern research university where I direct a laboratory dedicated to the neuropsychology of ingestive behavior. I am also a faculty member at a biomedical research imaging center. I have 8 years of experience studying the impact of eating high-sugar and high-fat foods on human brain function, eating behavior, and weight regulation. These studies include using how the human brain responds to consuming palatable foods (e.g., soda, milkshake) to predict weight gain, and how consuming these foods impact the human brain. I have about 40 presentations and about 20 peer-reviewed publications on the above topics including the only two studies to 1) demonstrate a causal relation between daily sugary beverage consumption impacting brain and behavior response to the beverage and beverage logo and 2) assess soda versus non-soda drinkers' brain repose to their preferred soda and advertisements.