PLOS One Issued Expression of Concern for Article
Editors flagged the research paper due to potential issues regarding the integrity of the peer review process.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Nutrition
Editors at the scientific journal PLOS One have issued an Expression of Concern for a published research article. The action follows findings that the paper was part of a broader series of submissions identified as having potential peer review irregularities.
Why it matters
This editorial action highlights the ongoing challenges academic journals face in maintaining rigorous peer review standards across large volumes of submissions. It serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to ensure that published scientific literature remains reliable and trustworthy.
The editorial notice indicates this article was part of a series of submissions with identified peer review concerns. Furthermore, Reference 26 cited within the original paper has been retracted since the article was first published.
The players
PLOS One
This is a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal that publishes primary research from various disciplines within science and medicine.
The details
The editorial board clarified that they have not yet evaluated the scientific validity or integrity of the research findings themselves. They emphasized that there are no concerns specifically regarding the conduct of the authors involved in the peer review of this paper.
Timeline
The Expression of Concern was formally issued on September 23, 2026.
The Big Picture
This editorial action follows the protocol established by the 2026 PLOS One peer review integrity review for identifying systematic review vulnerabilities. The situation represents an update to the journal's internal monitoring figures regarding submissions handled by external groups.
Readers should be aware that the conclusions of this specific research paper currently lack editorial verification of their scientific validity. Until further investigation occurs, practitioners and researchers should exercise caution when relying on these specific findings for health applications.
The takeaway
The scientific community relies on the integrity of the peer review process to validate new findings before they inform clinical or nutritional practices. When journals issue an expression of concern, it is a signal for readers to treat the published data with increased scrutiny until a formal determination is made.
Further reading
For broader context on academic publishing standards, visit the Nutrition section.
More information
View the original research article to review the editorial notice and associated documentation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PLOS.
