Australia

Dietitians laud decision not to release celebrity chef’s paleo primer

By RJ Whitehead

- Last updated on GMT

Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans
Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans

Related tags Nutrition

Australia’s leading nutrition body, the Dietitians Association of Australia, has praised publisher Pan Macmillan Australia for its decision not to publish a controversial book on the paleo diet that it had earlier raised concerns about. 

Bubba Yum Yum: The Paleo Way​, by celebrity chef and paleo enthusiast Pete Evans and two co-authors and aimed at mothers, babies and toddlers, will not be published in Australia, Pan Macmillan confirmed in a statement, though the authors of the book have decided to release a digital version.

A difficult decision

DAA chief executive Claire Hewat, said Pan Macmillan had made “a difficult decision​” to turn down publication of the book after the association had written to the publisher to voice several concerns, including the home-made baby milk formula advocated in the book.

Nutritionists have warned that the formula, made from liver and bone broth, could stunt the growth of babies and impair their development.

We, together with a number of health agencies, have provided evidence-based materials to highlight some serious issues with the content of this book​,” said Hewat.

DAA is now calling on the authors of Bubba Yum Yum​, who do not possess formally recognised medical or health qualifications, to reconsider their decision to independently release a digital version of the book.

E-book in April

Hewat said that while the issues around Bubba Yum Yum​ have been exposed, it raises wider concerns about where health advice is coming from.

Evans announced through social media that the book would be released as an e-book in April before it was published independently in print.

We didn’t want to wait, too many people are wanting this beautiful treasure trove of nutritional recipes​,” the chef said.

The book has been panned by dietitians and doctors over the past week. The Public Health Association of Australia said the book could lead to the deaths of children across the country.

In my view, there's a very real possibility that a baby may die if this book goes ahead​,” said Professor Heather Yeatman, president of the association.

Related topics Policy Oceania Food safety

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