EUFIC Launches Food and Health Science Literacy Campaign to Combat Disinformation in the EU

Last Updated : 08 September 2023

In recognition of International Literacy Day, the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) has launched a campaign on food and health science literacy. This initiative emphasises the crucial role of literacy in empowering the public to make well-informed diet and lifestyle choices, underpinning a vision for a healthier and more sustainable society. During the whole month of September, EUFIC is raising awareness of the topic via a set of actionable materials, such as infographics and articles, via its Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels and with the support of media outlets across Europe.

Addressing the Challenge of Science Illiteracy in Europe

Despite science's key role in our lives, the uncontrolled spread of misinformation, disinformation, and pseudo-science threatens citizens' ability to make informed choices.

A 2022 Eurobarometer survey shows that public TV and radio stations are the top trusted news sources in the EU at 49%, followed by the written press (39%), and then private TV and radio stations (27%). Despite this trust, the potential distortion of scientific facts by the media and the frequent over-simplified or sensationalised reporting creates uncertainty and contributes to diminishing trust in authentic scientific information.

EUFIC’s work aims not just to support and guide journalists and scientists in responsible and clear reporting, but also to empower European citizens. By improving their food and health science literacy, they can better decipher and understand the true essence of what is being conveyed through the headlines and on social media.

EUFIC’s Campaign: Advancing Science Literacy for Better Decision-making

EUFIC identified countries where citizens feel less confident about identifying disinformation. Estonia and Poland emerged as the primary focus areas, with approximately 40% of the population either "not very confident" or "not confident at all" in recognising disinformation when they encounter it.

Leveraging Google’s keyword research analysis and collecting questions from EUFIC’s website audience via a survey, EUFIC identified frequently asked questions on how to spot disinformation online. Using these insights, the campaign includes a set of actionable and appealing materials – from infographics to insightful articles – addressing vital topics like trustworthy sources, spotting misinformation, cognitive biases and debunking common food and nutrition myths. This bottom-up approach ensured that the community's queries directly informed the campaign materials. Although the social media campaign is primarily in English, EUFIC ensures a wider local reach by translating materials into local languages (i.e., Estonian and Polish) and disseminating them with the assistance of local media agencies.

Join EUFIC in Their Quest for a Science-Literate Europe

Through this campaign, EUFIC emphasises food and health science literacy's significant role in promoting a healthier, more sustainable society. This September, be a part of this mission by tuning into EUFIC's campaign on social media and helping shape a future where decisions are informed, choices are healthy, and societies are sustainable.

 

ENDS

 

Campaign overview

• The social media campaign on food and health science literacy (listed above) takes place throughout September on EUFIC’s channels.
• Articles on the topic in EN, EE, PL (Upcoming in ES, FR, IT and DE)
• EUFIC's main social media channels:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
• Materials published on EUFIC’s website:
  • Infographic: How to spot fake nutrition information on the internet
  • Infographic: How to read graphs
  • Infographic: What are cognitive biases and how to improve your thinking
  • Infographic: How strong is the scientific evidence?
  • Article: The levels of evidence in nutrition research
  • Article: Nutrition research: Who funds it and how is it published

About the European Food Information Council (EUFIC)

EUFIC is a consumer-oriented non-profit organisation founded to make the science behind food and health more accessible and easier to understand among the public. EUFIC’s mission is to produce science-based content to inspire and empower healthier and more sustainable diets and lifestyles among European citizens.

For more about EUFIC: https://www.eufic.org/

Contact

Marie-Christine Thurm, Media relations, EUFIC, marie-christine.thurm@eufic.org

 

The dissemination of this research is co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the agency can be held responsible for them.