The American Association of Nutritional Consultants (AANC) is an organisation which seeks to enhance the reputation of Nutritional and Dietary Consultants by consolidating them into a professional organisation.
It offers examination and certification, or association membership which does not require an examination but requires the payment of the membership fee. The organisation also offers an insurance program.
Members include the UK television presenter and nutritionist Gillian McKeith.
The association runs no checks on the qualifications of its certified members. Science writer Ben Goldacre subscribed his deceased cat Henrietta, purchasing "certified professional membership" on Hettie's behalf for $60,[1] and Australian nutritionist Rosemary Stanton's late Old English Sheepdog.[2] In 1983, nutrition scientist Victor Herbert registered a poodle and a cat;[3][4] despite the wide publicity given to this fact, Herbert was able to register another dog as a member the next year.[3] Another person registered the pet hamster of his daughter[3] and another person was accepted after providing only a certificate from a nutrition diploma mill.[3] Clearly, none of these members are "professional" nutritionists.
As a result of, this organisation has been criticised by Quackwatch for selling membership certificates to unqualified individuals.[3]