Assignment:

In this assignment, for each of three sources, you will read a paragraph from a source followed by a short description of the author's background. You'll be asked to describe what you think of the reliability of each source based on the information provided, and then decide which of the three sources you'd most trust and why.

Source 1

Title: 10,000+ Consumers Join the Fight for Complete & Accurate Labeling of Artificial Sweeteners in Packaged Foods; FDA Must Act Now to Help Families Make Informed Decisions Regarding Sugar Substitutes

Author: The Sugar Association (no specific individual listed)

Date: September 22, 2021

Link: https://www.sugar.org/resources/releases/10000-consumers-join-the-fight-for-complete-fda-must-act-now-to-help-families-make-informed-decisions-regarding-sugar-substitutes/

Text:

"A sharp and rapid increase in the use of sugar substitutes by food companies has changed the landscape of the food supply without many consumers knowing. This is of special concern for consumers with young children who are often most interested in knowing which sweeteners their families consume," said P. Courtney Gaine, PhD, RD, president and CEO of the Sugar Association. "More than 10,000 consumers to date have spoken, signaling FDA it's time to take action and provide the information on sweeteners they want and that they deserve."

Background:

From their website: "The Sugar Association, founded in 1943, is the scientific voice of the U.S. sugar industry. The association is committed to making a difference by continuously supporting scientific research and sharing its knowledge that there's more to sugar by increasing consumer understanding of and confidence in the role that sugar plays in a nutritious, balanced and enjoyable diet. The Sugar Association represents nearly 12,000 beet and cane sugar growers, as well as processors and refiners of sugar."

1. Based on the information provided in the author's writing and the short description of their background, what is the author's expertise (if any)? What biases might the author have (based on who they work for or who funded the article)?

Source 2

Title: The World Health Organization Affirms Aspartame is Safe

Author: American Beverage Association (no specific individual listed)

Date: July 14, 2023

Link: https://www.americanbeverage.org/education-resources/blog/post/the-world-health-organization-affirms-aspartame-is-safe/

Text:

Aspartame is safe. After a comprehensive and rigorous review, the World Health Organization (WHO) found aspartame is safe and 'no sufficient reason to change the previously established acceptable daily intake.' This strong conclusion reinforces the position of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and food safety authorities from more than 90 countries.

Background:

From their website: "The American Beverage Association (ABA) is the trade association that represents America's non-alcoholic beverage industry. ABA was founded in 1919 as the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, and renamed the National Soft Drink Association in 1966. Today the ABA represents hundreds of beverage producers, distributors, franchise companies and support industries."

2. Based on the information provided in the author's writing and the short description of their background, what is the author's expertise (if any)? What biases might the author have (based on who they work for or who funded the article)?

Source 3

Title:

Author: Ratna Bhushan, Editor at The Economic Times

Date: June 5, 2023

Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/beverage-lobby-differs-with-who-on-sweeteners/articleshow/100752293.cms

Text:

A lobby group representing major beverage companies, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Red Bull, has criticized recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on non-sugar sweeteners. The guidelines state that such sweeteners do not aid weight loss and increase the risk of certain diseases. The lobby group states that the WHO recommendations are not based on a robust evidence base.

Background:

About Ratna Bhushan (from LinkedIn): "Senior Editor with The Economic Times. ET Podcast: TheMorningBrief co-host. Previously with The Times of India and The Hindu Business Line. Knack for news, flair for writing. Studied economics and mass communications. Tracks consumer facing sectors; FMCG, corporate, e-commerce, health-focused, people & advertising trends. Extensive portfolio of well-researched, accurate, balanced and breaking news & trends across platforms including print and digital media."

About The Economic Times (from Wikipedia): "The Economic Times is an Indian English-language business-focused daily newspaper. It is owned by The Times Group. The Economic Times began publication in 1961. As of 2012, it is the world's second-most widely read English-language business newspaper, after The Wall Street Journal,[4] with a readership of over 800,000. It is published simultaneously from 14 cities: Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Pune, Indore, and Bhopal. Its main content is based on the Indian economy, international finance, share prices, prices of commodities as well as other matters related to finance."

3. Based on the information provided in the author's writing and the short description of their background, what is the author's expertise (if any)? What biases might the author have (based on who they work for or who funded the article)?

4. If you were choosing one of these three sources to use as evidence in a paper, which would you trust most and why? (As long as you justify your answer by discussing expertise and/or bias, you can receive full points for any choice)

Questions PART 2

1. Source 1: Author Expertise and Bias

Highlights expertise and bias(es) of author.

2. Source 2: Author Expertise and Bias

Highlights expertise and bias(es) of author.

3. Source 3: Author Expertise and Bias

Highlights expertise and bias(es) of author.

4. What is one potential outcome or implication of the position you stated in Question 3? (i.e. what might happen next if the position becomes a policy of the U.S.?)

Justifies answer choice of source by using bias and/or expertise assessment.