The impact of Meta's decision to end third-party fact-checking on health and nutrition misinformation

The rise of health and nutrition misinformation?

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, social media platforms play a critical role in shaping public understanding of health and nutrition. Meta's recent announcement to discontinue third-party fact-checking on its U.S. Facebook and Instagram platforms signals a significant change in how information will be moderated across two of the world's most influential social media channels. While this decision is framed by Meta as a step towards promoting "more speech and fewer mistakes," it raises significant concerns about the unchecked spread of misinformation – an issue Think Through Nutrition is deeply committed to addressing, particularly in the areas of health, nutrition, and mental well-being.

Social media has democratised access to information, allowing experts to share evidence-based insights into health and nutrition. However, it also facilitates the spread of misinformation. Without third-party fact-checking, unverified claims – ranging from diet fads and supplements to misinformation about critical health issues – are likely to proliferate. Content promoting harmful practices, including unsupervised detoxes or extreme diets, can lead to both physical and psychological risks.

Why nutrition misinformation is particularly concerning

Nutrition and wellness content often escapes scrutiny because it rarely appears overtly harmful. Yet, misinformation in this space can subtly shape harmful behaviours. Misinformation about nutrition and a lack of regulation in this space not only promotes disordered eating but can also contribute to serious deficiencies in essential nutrients. Unverified claims, such as those that vilify entire food groups or promote 'superfoods' as cure-alls, can lead to unbalanced diets. Misleading information around supplements, such as self-prescribed high-dose vitamins, poses additional health risks, including toxicity and interactions with medications.

Misinformation can disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions may be especially susceptible to unsupported claims potentially due to desperation for solutions or new information. Beyond individual harm, this could strain public health systems as more individuals turn to unverified solutions rather than seeking professional guidance.

Broader public health implications

Beyond individual harm, widespread misinformation can undermine public trust in science and health authorities. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how rapidly misinformation could erode compliance with public health measures. In the same vein, unchecked wellness trends might distract from critical health interventions, such as addressing obesity, diabetes, and mental health conditions with evidence-based strategies.

Additionally, misinformation targeting vulnerable groups—such as those with chronic illnesses or mental health conditions—could lead to the exploitation of individuals seeking solutions. With Meta’s platforms playing a central role in information consumption, the lack of oversight risks deepening existing health disparities.

The role of algorithms and engagement-driven content

Meta's algorithm prioritises content that generates high engagement, often amplifying sensational and emotionally charged posts. Health and nutrition misinformation often thrives under this model because it taps into fear, hope, or quick-fix solutions—all of which encourage shares and comments. Without third-party fact-checking, algorithms may continue to promote misleading content, compounding its reach and influence.

A shift to responsible content creation?

In the absence of formal fact-checking mechanisms, the responsibility now shifts to users and content creators. This underscores the urgent need to improve digital literacy, enabling users to critically assess health information and distinguish credible sources from misleading ones.

Additionally, users have the power to report misleading or harmful content they come across. Empowering individuals and professionals to recognise and report questionable information can help create a safer online space for health advice.

Furthermore, influencers, unaccredited health coaches, and brands must be held to higher standards of accountability when sharing health-related content. Individuals and professional bodies can actively contribute by using platform tools to report misleading or harmful posts. On Instagram and Facebook, this can be done by clicking on the three dots in the top corner of a post and selecting 'Report' to flag misinformation. By taking these steps, users help limit the spread of health halos and false claims, thereby protecting more vulnerable groups.

Collaboration between social media platforms, healthcare professionals, and educators could be key to filling the gap left by third-party fact-checkers. Think Through Nutrition is keen to collaborate with social media platforms and other stakeholders to develop evidence-based health guidelines, offer credible content, and contribute to user education initiatives. Developing clearer guidelines for health content, promoting evidence-based creators, and integrating disclaimers on unverified health claims (similarly to AD disclaimers) could help mitigate the spread of misinformation.

Conclusion

At Think Through Nutrition, we are concerned about the potential impact of Meta's decision to end third-party fact-checking on public health. While open dialogue is vital, it must be balanced with responsible content moderation to prevent the spread of harmful misinformation.

We believe platforms, policymakers and industry leaders share a responsibility to safeguard public health by promoting evidence-based health information.

Meta and other social media platforms can play a pivotal role by investing in tools and partnerships that elevate credible voices and reduce the spread of misleading content.

As a community, we can also take action by critically evaluating health information, reporting harmful posts, and supporting evidence-based resources. By working together, we can help create a digital environment where reliable health information thrives.