- http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/13/10657635-3-big-brands-may-be-tied-to-chicken-jerky-illness-in-dogs-fda-records-show?lite
- http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/19/12816861-fda-data-dump-shows-few-toxins-in-jerky-treats-complaints-rise-to-1800?lite
- http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/22/13399443-china-stiff-arms-fda-on-jerky-pet-treat-testing-reports-show?lite
- http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/27/14114813-grieving-pet-owners-take-jerky-treat-fight-to-the-stores?lite
Provide names of other journalists involved.
N/A
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Periodically, throughout 2012. Major developments on these dates: March 13, 2012: 3 big brands may be tied to chicken jerky illness in dogs, FDA records show July 19, 2012: FDA data dump shows few toxins in jerky treats; complaints rise to 1,800 Aug. 22, 2012: China stiff-arms FDA on jerky pet treat testing, reports show Sept. 27, 2012: Grieving pet owners take jerky treat fight to the stores
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
A routine warning from FDA about odd illnesses in pet dogs prompted a year-long msnbc.com investigation into potentially contaminated chicken jerky treats made in China. At last count, more than 2,200 complaints of illness, along with the deaths of 360 dogs and 1 cat, had been reported. Msnbc.com reports, which uncovered the top brands most associated with illness and also China’s refusal to allow FDA inspectors to test products in that country, have galvanized consumers and forced FDA to account for food safety practices in this vulnerable population of pets.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Msnbc.com used FOI requests to obtain internal FDA data about the most common brands associated with complaints of pet illness after FDA steadfastly refused to identify any particular products. Msnbc.com also filed FOI requests for FDA reports of inspections in Chinese facilities that make jerky treats for evidence that China was refusing to allow inspectors to test samples or conduct more than cursory examinations. FDA denied the requests and then posted them quietly on a little-used part of the agency’s website. Msnbc.com continues to pursue an outstanding inspection report that could include crucial evidence about Chinese jerky-making practices. Obtaining the documents was the sole way to allow pet owners to know which brands might be associated with hazards, providing a valuable consumer service. Reports of illness and injury to the FDA grew from a few hundred when msnbc.com reporting started to more than 2,000.
Explain types of human sources used.
Msnbc.com relied on FDA agency sources, veterinarians, scientists, pet advocates, pet owners, pet treat producers and lawyers specializing in foreign food trade.
Results:
Our stories resonated with readers and viewers, generating tens of thousands of page views and comments. Numbers of complaints to the FDA pet safety site jumped from a few hundred to more than 2,200 over the course of our reporting. Numerous media outlets across the country have followed the story, but always after us and typically citing the findings first reported in our work.
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.
We continue to pursue this story. No clarifications or corrections have been reported.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Don’t plan a “project.” Instead, stay with an issue that’s significant to your readers and follow it all the way through.