PLOS One Issued Concern Over Research Article
Editors flagged potential issues with the peer review process for a published nutrition study.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Nutrition
Editors at the journal PLOS One have issued an Expression of Concern regarding a published research article. The action follows investigations into a series of submissions that raised questions about the reliability of the peer review process.
Why it matters
This notice alerts readers to potential procedural irregularities in the publication history of the research. It helps the scientific community and the public understand that the study's review history is currently under scrutiny for integrity concerns.
PLOS One issued an official Expression of Concern based on broader peer review integrity issues identified in a series of submissions. While the article is under review, the journal has not conducted an independent evaluation of the scientific validity of the original research.
The players
PLOS One
An open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes primary research across all disciplines of science and medicine.
The details
The editors initiated this action after identifying patterns in a series of submissions that compromised the integrity of the peer review process. Importantly, the journal noted that there are no allegations of misconduct by the authors themselves during the submission. Additionally, the article contains a citation to Reference 26, which was formally retracted after the paper was originally published.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: The Expression of Concern was formally issued by PLOS One editors.
Health Landscape
This action reflects a broader trend in scientific publishing to increase transparency regarding the integrity of peer review systems. It follows established protocols, such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, for addressing systemic issues in the scholarly record.
When reading scientific studies, it is useful to check if they have been flagged with editorial notices, such as an Expression of Concern or a retraction. If you are reviewing this research for health decisions, consult your doctor to discuss how these procedural uncertainties might affect the study's conclusions.
The takeaway
An Expression of Concern serves as a red flag that the study's review process requires caution. Readers should always check the header of a digital study for updates or notices before applying research findings to their own health choices.
Further reading
For more on how we assess evidence in health reporting, visit our Nutrition section.
More information
View the current status of the original research article on the journal portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PLOS.
