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WRITING ABOUT FOOD SAFETY

WRITING ABOUT FOOD SAFETY. Public service or hysteria?. # of journalists small and getting smaller. Less than a dozen at major newspapers; all have other responsibilities At tv and radio, few if any Internet and blogs NGOs—Nutrition Action Newsletter, Center for Consumer Freedom.

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WRITING ABOUT FOOD SAFETY

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  1. WRITING ABOUT FOOD SAFETY Public service or hysteria?

  2. # of journalists small and getting smaller • Less than a dozen at major newspapers; all have other responsibilities • At tv and radio, few if any • Internet and blogs • NGOs—Nutrition Action Newsletter, Center for Consumer Freedom

  3. Questions for Journalists • What is the public safety threat? • What was the government’s response? • What was the industry’s response? • How reliable are your sources? • What is the previous track record of govt and industry? • Extenuating circumstances (kids, video, scary and new)

  4. Potential sources • Victims • Government agencies • NGOs • Industry trade groups • Companies • Lawyers • Public documents

  5. Why bother? • Consumers are increasing interested in safety of food • Alert them to potential dangers • Raise questions about safety of food • Hold government and industry accountable • And there’s one other thing…

  6. Outbreaks sell newspapers!

  7. Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York is linked to prostitution ring • By Danny Hakim and William K. Rashbaum • Published: March 10, 2008 • ALBANY, New York: Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a person briefed on the federal investigation. • An affidavit in the federal investigation into a prostitution ring said that a wiretap recording captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a hotel room. The person briefed on the case identified Spitzer as Client 9. • Spitzer on Monday made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a "private matter." • "I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong," said Spitzer, who appeared with his wife Silda at his Manhattan office. "I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better." • "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family."

  8. Reporting problems • Defining the public health hazard is tricky • So is finding reliable data on illnesses • Information drips out from government • Science based? • Companies aren’t always forthcoming • Deadline pressures, competition

  9. Taco Bell • Story breaks on December 5, 2006 • Initial report says at least 39 people in two states got sick, including kids • Taco Bell closes nine restaurants and downplays problem • Locals say otherwise • Taco Bell has had other problems…

  10. Dec. 6, the story continues • Expands to Pennsylvania, 65 sick • Taco Bell reopens 8 restaurants; questions whether they are to blame • Locals say they are focusing on food distributor in New Jersey

  11. Dec. 7 • Now 99 people are sick • County health official blames green onions • Distributor says they come from California farm • Taco Bell pulls green onions off the menu • Consumers at tipping point on veggies?

  12. Dec. 8 • Number of illnesses balloons to 169, spreads all the way to Utah • Farm in California had previous problems • Lawsuit filed; Marler says more may be coming

  13. Dec. 9 and 10 • More illnesses • Calls for oversight • Industry says it welcomes regulation • NYTimes scoop on “gumshoe” work of investigators tracking down bad onions

  14. Dec. 12 • It wasn’t green onions after all • New York retracts statement about lab tests implicating green onions • More than 400 illnesses reported

  15. Aftermath • Outbreak ultimately tied to lettuce • CDC confirms more than 70 illnesses—now what? • Taco Bell revamps food safety, undermined by other issues • What happened to the lettuce?

  16. Story ideas, compliments, complaints, confidential documents • ANDREW MARTIN • New York Times • (212)556-7261 • ajmartin@nytimes.com

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