Guidance Note

Abstract

"Adherence to ethical principles is essential in all branches of research. Only ethically sound research can achieve public acceptance and demonstrate the integrity required of European researchers and their international colleagues. This Guidance note aims to make food researchers aware of potential ethical issues that may arise in their work. Research involving food and nutrition is very diverse, ranging from interviewing children about their food preferences, to animal studies on contaminants, research on sustainable agriculture or the impact of certain foods on gene expression, to name just a few. As a result, research methods within the field vary widely. Furthermore, individual food and dietary decisions are often very personal and culturally or spiritually based. Therefore a guidance note such as this one cannot be exhaustive. What it can do is assist researchers in proper ethical conduct through awareness raising on many of the key issues of concern."