Pro-Palestine nutritionist gives anti-Israel diet advice
A nutritionist is under investigation after calling for the boycott of Israeli dates.
Joan Faria, who runs nutrition clinic Empowered Nutrition, shared a recipe for stuffed dates with almond butter dipped in dark chocolate on social media.
But the nutritionist wrote at the bottom of her business Facebook post for the recipe: ' Please boycott Israeli dates – if you can find Zaytoun, buy these as they support farmers in Palestine. These dates were Moroccan.'
The bottom section of the post has since been deleted after Ms Faria was requested remove the remarks by the professional body for nutritionists – the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT).
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) complained to BANT, claiming Ms Faria breached their code of conduct, which states that members should conduct themselves in an 'honourable and courteous manner' and should be a 'professional and independent health specialist'.
BANT said they requested that Ms Faria remove the section of her post mentioning the boycott and would be 'reinforcing their professional standards'.
'Unsolicited advice'
The letter from UKLFI to BANT, seen by The Telegraph, claimed: 'We believe that by urging a boycott of Israeli dates brings BANT into disrepute. Ms Faria has not demonstrated an honourable and courteous manner, in particular to any Jewish, Israeli or Zionist clients or others who may follow her, or who may see her Facebook post.'
It adds: 'By urging people to boycott Israeli dates, Ms Faria has offered unsolicited advice, which is not appropriate for a nutritionist.'
The letter also claimed the nutritionist breached Section 29 of the 2010 Equality Act, which states: 'A service-provider must not, in relation to the provision of the service: Harass a person requiring the service, or a person to whom the service-provider provides the service.'
The letter adds: 'Ms Faria is creating a hostile and offensive environment for any Jewish, Israeli or Zionist clients or potential clients, by expressing her hostility to Israeli-produced dates and commanding her followers to boycott them.'
The letter also pointed out that Jews, Israelis and Zionists have protected characteristics of race, religion or belief according to Section 4 of the 2010 legislation.
UKLFI also complained to the regulator, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), who told The Telegraph they had 'launched an investigation into the complaint' which was at an 'early stage'.
'She is not prioritising the health of her patients'
In a second letter to the CNHC, UKLFI claimed Ms Faria was breaching their code of conduct by not 'respecting privacy and dignity', not following a 'legal duty to promote equality' and not 'avoiding unfair discrimination'.
The letter said: 'If Ms Faria is allowing her own beliefs and values to prejudice her clients' care and wellbeing, she is discriminating against products of Israel, for no nutritional or health-based reason.
'She is likely to discriminate against other Israeli products and medicines, which may be the detriment of her patients.
'She is not prioritising the health of her patients, but instead prioritising her own political position.
'If she feels so strongly about her political cause that she boycotts Israeli products on her professional social media pages, she is also likely to treat Israeli or Jewish patients in a less favourable manner.'
The boycott calls also drew condemnation from other Jewish groups, with the Campaign Against Antisemitism saying: 'A nutritionist should not be injecting her own inflammatory politics into dietary advice.
'Boycotts like this have real-world effects on the Jewish community.
'The regulator is absolutely right to take this seriously, and we will monitor the outcome with interest.'
'Putting political interests before those of patients'
Russell Langer, director of Public Affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council, added to The Telegraph: 'Over the past 20 months, far too many workplaces, including those responsible for the welfare of Jewish and Israeli clients, have seen attempts to import a foreign conflict to the detriment of community cohesion.
'We therefore welcome BANT's confirmation that they will reinforce their professional standards and not allow their members to promote divisive boycotts of Israel in their work.'
Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said: 'We are pleased that the regulatory bodies for nutritionists are tackling the issue of boycotts and appear to be cracking down on any members who advocate boycotting Israeli food or other items, putting their own political interests before those of their clients and patients.'
Israel is a significant exporter of dates, with Medjool dates being a prominent variety. Exports were worth over £174m in 2023, with the UK being a key export destination.
'Always check the label'
Various groups, such as the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC), have launched boycott campaigns and guidance, saying dates should only be bought from Palestinian sources.
One bit of PSC guidance says: 'Always check the label when buying dates. Don't buy dates that are produced or packaged in Israel or its West Bank settlements. If no country of origin can be found on the box, check the retailer's website.'
Last month, Co-op members urged the retailer to stop selling Israeli products as soon as this summer.
Three-quarters of voters backed a motion urging the board to show 'moral courage and leadership' by removing Israeli products from its shelves.
Responding to the result, the Co-op announced at its annual general meeting that the motion was advisory, but confirmed it was reviewing its sourcing policy.
The CNHC added: 'CNHC Registrants have a legal duty to promote equality and must make sure that their own beliefs and values do not prejudice their clients' care and wellbeing.'
A spokesman said: 'The Registrant has been invited to provide her written representations in response to the Complaint.'
Ms Faria said: 'Because the CNHC investigation is at an early stage and ongoing, I will not be responding at this stage.'
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