What Should One Do If a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Is Not Practicing Ethically?

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, RDNs are bound by a stringent Code of Ethics to ensure honest and competent practice. But what should one do if they think a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is not practicing ethically? The process involves documenting the issues, understanding the proper reporting channels, and taking the appropriate steps to file a formal complaint.

Quick Summary

This article outlines the steps to take if an RDN is engaged in unethical conduct, including documentation, identifying the specific ethical violation, and filing a formal complaint with the appropriate credentialing or licensing board. It provides a clear path for recourse and ensures consumer protection.

Key Points

Document Everything: Keep detailed records, including dates, times, and a clear account of all concerning interactions with the RDN.
Gather Evidence: Collect any relevant materials, such as emails, treatment plans, receipts, or screenshots of social media posts, to support your claim.
Identify the Correct Reporting Body: You can report an RDN to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), a state licensing board, or their employer, depending on the nature of the complaint.
Submit a Formal Complaint: Use the formal ethics complaint process provided by the CDR or your state's licensing board, as a casual report may not be sufficient.
Understand Potential Outcomes: Be aware that the investigation may take time, and outcomes can range from mandated ethics training to the suspension or revocation of the RDN's credentials or license.

Recognizing Unethical Behavior in an RDN

Before taking action, it is crucial to understand what constitutes unethical practice in the field of nutrition and dietetics. This is not simply about disagreeing with a nutrition plan; it involves concrete actions that violate professional standards. Unethical behavior can manifest in several forms, including offering unproven or harmful treatments, promoting products with financial conflicts of interest, or violating client confidentiality. Knowing the distinction is the first and most important step in addressing your concerns.

Documenting Your Concerns

Once you have identified a potential ethical breach, thorough documentation is essential. Your claim will carry more weight if you can provide a clear and organized record of what happened. This includes dates, times, and specific details of conversations, recommendations, or actions you found concerning.

Keep a log: Start a detailed log or journal of every interaction with the RDN, including the date, time, and mode of communication (in-person, email, phone call). Be as objective as possible.
Collect evidence: Gather any physical or digital evidence, such as emails, treatment plans, receipts, or social media posts. Screenshots of social media posts, especially sponsored content that lacks disclosure, can be powerful evidence.
Detail the harm: Clearly articulate how the unethical behavior has impacted you. Was there a financial loss, physical harm, or emotional distress? Connect the RDN's actions directly to the negative outcome you experienced.
Identify the specific violation: Reference the Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession, which is publicly available, and pinpoint the specific rule or principle that you believe was violated.

Comparison of Reporting Avenues

Your options for reporting an RDN will depend on the nature of the complaint and where the RDN practices. It is possible to file a complaint with multiple bodies if the situation warrants it.


Reporting Avenue	Primary Function	What They Investigate	Potential Outcomes for RDN
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)	National credentialing board for RDNs.	Violations of the Code of Ethics, such as fraud, negligence, or misrepresentation.	Sanctions, suspension, or revocation of the RDN credential.
State Licensing Board	Regulates practice within a specific state.	Violations of state-specific practice laws and regulations.	License suspension, revocation, fines, or a formal warning.
Employer or Institution	Supervises the RDN's workplace conduct.	Violations of company policies or standards of care.	Internal disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

The Formal Reporting Process

Once you have compiled your documentation and identified the correct authority, the formal process can begin. This is not always a quick process, but it is necessary for accountability.

Contacting the Credentialing Body

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) handles ethics complaints at the national level. You can find information on their website about how to submit a complaint. The process typically involves completing a formal ethics complaint form and submitting your gathered evidence. The CDR will review the complaint and, if it finds merit, will begin an investigation. The investigation may involve the CDR contacting the RDN to respond to the allegations, and your identity may or may not be revealed, though anonymity is not always guaranteed.

Filing with a State Licensing Board

Every state has its own licensing board for dietetics, and the procedures for filing a complaint vary. It is important to find the specific board for the state where the RDN practices. A quick search for "[State Name] board of dietetics complaint" should provide the necessary information. State boards have the power to suspend or revoke a dietitian's license, which is a significant consequence.

Reporting to the Employer

If the RDN works for a hospital, clinic, or other institution, you can also file a complaint with their employer. This may be a quicker route for resolution, especially for issues like poor service or a violation of internal policies. The employer may take internal action, but it may not lead to disciplinary action from the CDR or a state board unless the employer also reports the incident.

What to Expect After Filing a Complaint

After you have filed your complaint, be prepared for a waiting period while the investigative body conducts its review. The organization will likely notify you that they have received your complaint and may ask for additional information as the investigation progresses. Depending on the nature of the violation and the jurisdiction, the outcome could be a range of disciplinary actions for the RDN, including mandated ethics training, suspension, or the ultimate revocation of their credentials or license. The process is designed to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the profession.

Conclusion: Holding Professionals Accountable

Unethical behavior by a registered dietitian nutritionist is a serious matter that can cause significant harm to clients and the public. By meticulously documenting your concerns and following the proper channels for reporting—whether to the CDR, a state licensing board, or the RDN’s employer—you are taking a vital step toward protecting yourself and holding the professional accountable. The process requires patience and persistence, but it reinforces the ethical standards that all healthcare professionals are expected to uphold. While confronting a professional can be daunting, your action contributes to a safer, more trustworthy healthcare environment for everyone.

Ethical Obligations of an RDN: A Quick Look

Honesty and Integrity: RDNs must provide accurate and truthful information and avoid conflicts of interest, especially regarding product endorsements.
Confidentiality: Client information must be protected and kept private in accordance with regulations.
Evidence-Based Practice: All recommendations should be based on credible scientific evidence, not fads or unsupported claims.
Patient Autonomy: RDNs must respect the patient's right to make their own decisions about their care.
Professional Boundaries: RDNs must maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid relationships that could exploit or harm the client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common examples include promoting products with undisclosed financial ties, making unsubstantiated health claims, violating patient confidentiality, or practicing outside their scope of expertise.

While some organizations may attempt to protect your anonymity, it is not always guaranteed. In order for the RDN to respond to the allegations, they must be presented with the specifics of the complaint, which can sometimes reveal your identity.

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a nationally credentialed and often state-licensed professional with specific education and supervised training. The term "nutritionist" is not regulated in many areas, meaning anyone can use it without formal qualifications.

You can, but it is often more effective and safer to go through formal channels. Directly confronting the individual may escalate the situation without providing a resolution.

If an RDN is promoting products or giving misleading advice on social media, you can report them to the CDR, especially if they are making health claims or failing to disclose sponsored content. You can also report them to the relevant social media platform.

You should report the RDN to the licensing board in the state where they practice. The CDR has national jurisdiction for credentials, so you can always file a complaint with them regardless of location.

Specifics are key. Provide dates, clear descriptions of the unethical behavior, relevant communications (emails, screenshots), and an explanation of the harm caused. Pointing to the specific ethical violation is also very useful.