Health
Health secretary’s claims on smoking aren’t supported by the evidence
The health secretary is wrong to say most smokers will never be able to quit. Read
Fact checks
Health
Get clear and trusted health facts. We explain symptoms, treatments, and health advice in simple language you can understand.
The UK government hasn’t classified all porridge as ‘junk food’
There is a two-stage process for defining a “less healthy” food or drink product. Although porridge is “in scope” of the legislation it would also have to score highly on the Nutrient Profiling Model. Read
Fact checks
Is milk from cows fed Bovaer safe?
The methane-reducing cow feed additive is considered safe by food safety authorities in the approved doses. And contrary to some claims online, Bill Gates was not involved in its development. Read
Fact checks
Health
Margarine isn’t ‘one molecule away’ from plastic
Margarine doesn’t share 27 ingredients with paint and isn’t one molecule away from plastic. Read
Fact checks
Viral list of ‘patents on viruses’ fact checked
An image shared on social media with claims it shows a list of patent numbers for viruses such as H1N1 flu, Zika virus and SARS is not quite what it seems. Read
Fact checks
Health
Viruses are real and you can ‘catch’ them
Despite claims to the contrary, viruses are real and have been sequenced many times. Read
Fact checks
Health
No, Pfizer’s CEO did not say his company’s goal was to halve the global population
A video of Albert Bourla speaking has been edited to make it sound as if Pfizer wants to depopulate the world. Read
Fact checks
Citric acid is not hidden in food to ‘poison’ the population
Almost 2,000 people have shared a post suggesting there is a plot to lower the “population’s vitality” by hiding citric acid “poison” in food. Read
Fact checks
Health
Celsius energy drink does not contain dangerous levels of cyanide
A clip of an influencer incorrectly describing the risks from energy drinks has resurfaced online. The original video appears to have been deleted. Read
Fact checks
Health
The NHS doesn’t ‘gobble up’ 40% of total public expenditure
About 18% of total public expenditure goes to health, though health accounts for almost 40% of day-to-day departmental budgeted spending. Read
Fact checks
