Provide names of other journalists involved.
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List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Apr-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The produce industry has had its share of media nightmares involving consumers sickened — and even dying — after eating fruits and/or vegetables tainted with the likes of E. coli, salmonella, listeria and other pathogens. Food safety is critically important at every juncture from farm to fork. A recall, even a hint of contamination, rightly or wrongly, can wreak financial havoc for the produce industry participants involved. Many articles provide farmers, distributors, processors and retailers guidance on how to prevent contamination and what steps to take if implicated. They have little if any knowledge, however, of how illnesses are traced back to not only a single product but a specific grower or facility. This article poses to provide a nuts-and-bolts approach to the events that transpire when two or more people fall ill from a common source. It is an educational piece that depicts the massive team effort that goes into solving the mystery from the beginning when a physician or other health care provider responds to a patient presenting with symptoms. Like a “whodunit,” the mystery is unraveled with the help of lab technicians, local and state health departments, as well as federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. The article describes how an investigation unfolds, including determining that an outbreak has occurred, launching the investigation, finding the source and taking corrective measures in the aftermath to prevent future contamination. Microbiologists determine the strain of pathogen and specific variety; epidemiologists looks for patterns to the outbreak, described as “part science and part art.” Clues are gleaned from the age, location and activities of the sick, as well as extensive interviews about what individuals consumed, when and where. The good news is that progress has been made, as the overall incidence of infection with six key pathogens has fallen in recent years, and investigators have improved detection, traceability and investigative methods to get contaminated food off the market sooner.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Sources included: – Public information from various government websites, e.g., CDC, FDA, USDA – News releases – News reports of outbreaks; e.g., Wall Street Journal – Research paper, Resources for the Future (Washington, DC think tank) – Article from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association on E.coli outbreaks – Research on specific outbreaks; e.g. cantaloupe, spinach – Research report, State Surveillance of Foodborne Illness, Georgetown University – Minnesota Dept. of Health website
Explain types of human sources used.
– Interview with FDA press officer, who provided research data – Interview with Sanitation and Safety Administrator, Recall Coordinator and Lab Liaison, Florida Dept. of Agriculture Division of Food Safety, – North Carolina Division of Public Health foodborne epidemiologist – Interview with president of SAGE Food Safety Consultants – Interview with professor of Food Safety, Kansas State University Dept. of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology
Results:
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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.
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Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
There is a massive amount of information available on the subject of foodborne illness. It is important to narrow the topic to a specific focus. Federal agencies are excellent sources and extremely helpful, as are academic institutions.