Provide names of other journalists involved.
The reporting team was made up of health care reporter Kirsten Stewart, Washington correspondent Matt Canham and business reporters Tom Harvey and Steven Oberbeck.
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Feb. 20-22, 2011; May 1, 2011; May 29, 2011; Dec. 12-13, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The series thoroughly examines Utah’s nutritional supplements industry, which typically relies on multilevel marketing to sell its therapeutic fruit juices and other products. Our reporting team questioned whether the industry’s pervasiveness in the state creates something of a “voodoo” economy “built on a veneer of science that makes specious claims about the health benefits of fruit juices” and about the riches to be earned by distributors.” The team found that despite widespread support for the industry from political and economic leaders in Utah, some companies’ health benefit claims are dubious at best and multilevel marketing in general builds wealth for a few on the backs of thousands who lose money.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The team did FOIA requests for Food and Drug Administration records on the number of dietary supplement companies in Utah subject to inspections and for copies of inspection reports. Also obtained using FOIA were letters sent by Utah congressmen to the Federal Trade Commission providing support for loosening a rule affecting the industry. For public companies, the reporting team examined several years’ worth of SEC filings. The team also studied numerous transcripts of cases in state and federal courts as well as the latest, leading research on the health benefits of supplements done by independents and by the companies themselves. Documentation helped confirm anecdotal evidence about the companies’ practices.
Explain types of human sources used.
Our reporting team interviewed dozens of small and large product distributors, company officials within the industry and outside it, scientists, academics, regulators and politicians.
Results:
“The State of Supplements” was among the best-read — and most actively commented upon — series produced by The Salt Lake Tribune in 2011. We believe it gave would-be consumers and distributors of these products vital information they can use to make better decisions.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
A team approach proved valuable on a project like this. We were able to use a Washington correspondent to cover regulatory and political aspects of the industry; a health reporter to examine health benefit claims; and two business reporters to report on marketing methods, financial reporting, etc.