Pete Evans is locked in another battle with medical professionals who slammed the science in his documentary about the paleo diet. The My Kitchen Rules favourite has labelled the Australian Medical Association (AMA) “insecure”, after the organisation urged Netflix to take down The Magic Pill.
Their war of the words follows a series of comments claiming the film’s depiction of the high-fat, low-carb diet treating conditions such as autism and asthma was “harmful”.
“The AMA believes that Pete Evans should stick to his very obvious talents in the kitchen and leave the science to the scientists,” AMA told Starts at 60.
“When it comes to health advice, leave the health advice to the experts, which is predicated on years and years of research and medical evidence, and don’t put the public’s health at risk. Pete Evans is in a privileged position, it comes with responsibility. He should respect that responsibility and not make claims that he can’t substantiate.”
Now, speaking in an exclusive chat with Starts at 60, Evans has hit back at the comments, questioning the AMA’s real intentions.
“I believe that any criticism shows the fears and insecurities of the people or organisations making the criticisms,” he says.
“You will need to ask them why … the celebration of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet is a cause for alarm for them, however they don’t seem to be asking TV networks or the mainstream magazines that advertise fast food, to remove them instead.
“… Why only approximately 25 per cent of doctors are now part of the AMA, when 40 years ago they had about 97 per cent. At the rate they’re going it looks like they won’t be around for much longer or even relevant.”
The documentary makes a case that eliminating processed foods, carbohydrates and grains can potentially alleviate health conditions ranging from asthma to autism.
“In the documentary we follow different people … and show how the simple changes by celebrating real nourishing food has on their health,” he says. “Each person shows a positive change in their health … We make no claims that this is a cure, but simply show the effects that this has.”
Despite the AMA’s claims, Netflix have decided to release The Magic Pill globally, and they have also extended the contract for another 12 months.
It’s not the first time Evans and the AMA have exchanged blows. Last year, Evans was also criticised by the medical body for claiming dairy removed calcium from bones and that sunscreen was toxic.