Financial conflicts of interest remain rife in the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), BMJ analysis reveals. Despite a new code of conduct banning links to the food industry, members with ties are allowed to remain in post. Public health experts say the conflicts should be removed “immediately,” Sophie Borland reports Nearly a third of the government’s nutrition advisers still have “significant” ties to the food industry, including Coca-Cola, Sainsbury’s, and yoghurt manufacturer Danone, The BMJ can reveal. Six of the 19 members of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) have conflicts of interest that the committee’s own rules deem “significant” and should preclude them from being appointed.1 One was until recently a long serving senior member of the British Nutrition Foundation—a charity funded by firms including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Cadbury’s makers Mondelez (box 1). Another nutritionist on SACN has shares in Sainsbury’s. Four other advisers have received research funding from the meat, dairy, and nut industries, including one who has also taken a grant from Danone, the world’s largest yoghurt maker. A recent update to SACN’s rules should prevent individuals with such interests being appointed members—but an introductory period allows current members to continue existing ties for up to two years. Experts told The BMJ , however, that scientists with financial ties to the food industry should not be involved in influencing policy and called for the conflicts to be removed “immediately.” Some said that at least some previous financial relationships should also rule out SACN membership even once lapsed. SACN is a powerful group of experts that provides nutrition advice to the government on issues including artificial sweeteners, ultraprocessed foods, and dietary guidelines for babies, young children, and people over 65. Its reports are used to inform national policy as well as NHS healthy eating recommendations. …