 It has been a strategy of Coca-Cola to found and to fund a scientific institution that gives ostensibly independent advice.Nutritionist Barry Popkin says that in China ILSI had “an extremely harmful influence, because they prevented raising awareness for a healthy diet.”

In January 2020, a well publicized, ILSI sponsored, survey report by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) on consumption of added sugar among Indians, draws criticism from Alliance Against Conflict of Interest.In a letter they wrote describes ILSI as a lobbying arm of food industry notoriously famous for pursuing policy influence in India and elsewhere, in particular, with respect to sugary foods and beverages.