Scientific Roundtable Series 1: Approaches to Establishing Scientific Consensus
Hosted by INSC
Summary
This first Scientific Roundtable in the series explored how consensus is defined, achieved, and applied in nutrition science. The session was moderated by INSC member Tricia Mischler (Mead Johnson Nutrition), and the invited panelists included: Daniele Wikoff (ToxStrategies), Berthold Koletzko (Ludwig Maximilians Universität Munich, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital), John Wallingford (Nutrispectives, LLC), and Sean Hays (SciPinion). Panelists emphasized that consensus does not mean unanimity but rather broad alignment among experts, with recognition of uncertainty and minority views. Because it is context-dependent, achieving consensus requires clearly defining the proposed question and tailoring methods to the decision at hand.
Panelists underscored the importance of structured, evidence-based approaches, such as systematic reviews and established frameworks, in reducing bias and supporting transparency. Multidisciplinary participation was viewed as critical for ensuring that consensus reflects diverse perspectives and is relevant to real-world decisions. Case studies illustrated how rigorous methods can clarify evidence, address gaps in knowledge, and strengthen trust, while still recognizing the influence of social norms and beliefs.
The discussion concluded that consensus should be viewed as a process rather than a final endpoint. It evolves with new data and must remain open to revision. Panelists noted that consensus can take many forms depending on the evidence, context, and stakeholders involved. Rather than requiring complete unanimity, this process reflects an open and evidence-informed approach that acknowledges the evolving nature of evidence and diversity of expert opinion.
Panelists
Sean Hays, PhD
SciPinion
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Sean Hays co-founded SciPinion to give a voice to the collective wisdom of the scientific community. He serves as President and guides the strategic mission of SciPinion. SciPinion is akin to the International Academy of Sciences, employing panels of experts in a rigorous engineered objectivity triple-blinded and transparent process that assures experts share their opinions in a psychologically safe environment and allows for assessing the true degree of consensus on any given topic.
Berthold V. Koletzko, MD, PhD
Ludwig Maximilians Universität Munich, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital
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Bert is Else Kröner-Seniorprofessor of Paediatrics at LMU – Ludwig Maximilians Universität Munich, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital. Trained in South Africa, Tanzania, Germany, and Canada, his work focuses on metabolic and nutritional modulators of child health and disease prevention.
He is author of 1,222 journal articles, 252 book chapters, and 46 books/monographs (Web of Science H-index 104; Google Scholar H-index 151). Research.com ranked him the top German researcher in paediatrics in 2025; Expertscape 2025 lists him as a world expert in multiple child nutrition areas.
His research has been funded by the EU, German national agencies, NIH, and foundations. Honors include the 2024 ESPGHAN Distinguished Service Award. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism and World Review of Nutrition & Dietetics, and holds leadership roles in European and international pediatric and nutrition organizations. He advises national and international bodies including WHO, FAO, and the European Commission.
Founder and Chair of Stiftung Kindergesundheit (Child Health Foundation).
John C. Wallingford, PhD
Nutrispectives, LLC
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Independent consultant since 2011 (Nutrispectives, LLC) with expertise in regulatory and nutrition science for foods for special dietary uses (infant formula, medical foods) and related ingredients, including GRAS notifications and pediatric nutrition research.
Formerly at FDA CFSAN (1986–1997) in Special Nutritionals and Office of Nutrition; later VP roles in Global Regulatory Affairs and Scientific Affairs at Wyeth/Pfizer Nutrition overseeing registrations in ~35 countries and novel ingredient approvals.
Authored 40 peer-reviewed publications and a regulatory chapter in the Pediatric Nutrition Handbook (AAP, 9th ed.). Degrees from University of Washington (BS), UC Davis (MS), and MIT (PhD); postdoc at NIH/NIMH.
Daniele Wikoff, PhD
ToxStrategies
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Daniele Wikoff is ToxStrategies’ Chief Scientific Officer, as well as Senior Vice President of the firm’s Health Sciences practice. She specializes in using evidence-based toxicology methods as part of safety assessments for a broad spectrum of substances, including food ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, dietary supplements and botanicals, industrial chemicals, environmental contaminants, and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Wikoff routinely engages with risk communication efforts regarding hazard and risk assessment topics with diverse audiences, including international regulators and non-technical audiences.
Dr. Wikoff is active in the scientific community, highlighted by her service to numerous academic journals in the toxicology field, including her role as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the peer-review journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. In addition, she is involved in multiple global collaborations, including the Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration (EBTC), a member multiple National Academy of Sciences committees, and co-author on the World Health Organization’s systematic review framework. She has been an invited speaker and panel participant at the European Food Safety Authority, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Moderator
Tricia R. Mischler, JD, MPH
Mead Johnson Nutrition, Reckitt; INSC Member
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Tricia is a seasoned regulatory affairs leader with 20+ years in pharma and nutrition. She oversees strategic compliance, labeling, and product registration across infant and medical nutrition portfolios.
She translates complex regulatory frameworks into actionable strategy, anticipating challenges and enabling compliant innovation. JD (Purdue Law) and MS in Public Health (University of Evansville).
About the Scientific Roundtable Series
The INSC Scientific Roundtable Series provides a forum for experts from academia, government, and industry to explore foundational scientific questions that support and are parallel to the focus areas of the INSC. The Roundtables are organized to:
- Identify where there is consensus on the topic
- Identify where there is lack of alignment
- In areas lacking alignment, identify actions that could lead to consensus
