MEMPHIS, Tenn. – More people are turning to social media for health advice from what to eat to how to lose weight, but Tennessee lawmakers are now questioning how much of that guidance should come from licensed professionals.
A bill moving through the Tennessee General Assembly would require people providing certain types of nutrition advice to have proper credentials, such as being a licensed dietitian or nutritionist.
The proposal comes as health-related content continues to grow across platforms, where users often share personal experiences, diet trends, and medical concerns.
“I definitely do see people try to give advice,” said Valeria Ortiz, a student at the University of Memphis. “But I try to really look into their accounts and see if they have credentials to back up their advice.”
Another student, Jerome Jenny, said he often sees people turn to social media with questions.
“It’s more of like, these are my concerns. These are my symptoms. Does anybody know what to do?” he said.
Supporters of the bill said that type of advice can be risky without proper training.
Mary Catherine Schallert, a clinical associate professor at the University of Memphis College of Health Sciences and a registered dietitian nutritionist, said the goal is to improve access to qualified professionals while protecting public health.
“What we’re trying to do is increase the number of nutrition providers and also do it in a way that ensures public safety,” Schallert said.
Schallert served as a subject matter expert at the state Capitol on behalf of more than 2,400 nutrition professionals across Tennessee as lawmakers discussed the proposal.
She said current regulations have not kept pace with the rise of social media.
“People get their nutrition education from a lot of different places, and not all of those places are sources of good information,” she said.
The bill would make it a crime to provide what is known as “medical nutrition therapy” without a license. That includes personalized, clinical-level nutrition advice, particularly for managing chronic diseases.
“If you’re looking at how you would treat a chronic disease that is treatable with lifestyle factors, that is the space for a credentialed provider to be able to come in and provide that evidence-based care,” Schallert said.
However, the proposal would not prohibit people from sharing general wellness or nutrition tips, as long as they do not present themselves as licensed professionals.
Complaints could be reported to the state’s licensure board, which would have the authority to investigate and take action if someone is practicing outside their scope.
Schallert said the consequences of misinformation can be serious.
“If someone has a chronic disease, they can make it worse. They could make themselves sick; they could end up in the hospital,” she said. “It is possible that bad advice can lead to death.”
If passed, violating the law could result in a misdemeanor charge and fines.
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