Do alcohol industry-funded organisations act to correct misinformation? A qualitative study of pregnancy and infant health content following independent analysis

This research examines whether alcohol industry–funded organizations have improved the accuracy of their public information on alcohol, pregnancy, and infant health following previous independent scrutiny. The study reviewed seven major industry-funded charities and nonprofits across multiple countries and analyzed the content, framing, and accessibility of their information using a framework of “dark nudges and sludge”, subtle strategies that obscure, downplay, or misrepresent health risks. The findings show that, despite earlier public health critiques, misinformation remains widespread across these websites. Many sources omit key information, present content in confusing sequences, bury important messages within less relevant material, or frame scientific facts in ways that create ambiguity and uncertainty. These patterns not only limit the public’s ability to make informed decisions, but also reinforce corporate narratives that minimize alcohol-related harm