CHICAGO--Four journalists will be honored for excellence in food science reporting at the Institute of Food Technologists' (IFT's) 1998 Annual Meeting & FOOD EXPO in Atlanta June 20.
One winning story in each category (newspaper, consumer magazine, and television) was selected by a panel of judges based on compelling interest, sound science, effective communication, and good balance. Each judging panel was comprised of two food scientists, a journalist, and a communications professional.
Rex Dalton, medical/health reporter at The San Diego Union-Tribune, won the newspaper category with his article "Tainted Harvest." This story took readers on the epidemiological investigation U.S. officials underwent to determine the cause of Hepatitis A contamination of strawberries illegally distributed in 1997 to grade schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program. The investigation led to infected field workers in Mexico, who presumably transferred virus-containing human fecal matter on their hands to the berries during picking. Dalton's article underscored the importance of worker hygiene and availability of handwashing facilities on every farm in all countries in order to protect consumers.
Pat Skerrett, freelance writer for Technology Review (Boston), took first place in the consumer magazine category with his story "Food Irradiation: Will it Keep the Doctor Away?" The article highlighted the benefits of irradiation, tracing its origins back to 1896, and scientifically discussed the technology's effect on food and microorganisms. More importantly, Skerrett's piece dispelled myths about irradiation, promulgated by the activist group Food & Water Inc., such as that it depletes food of significant nutrients, creates enough radiolytic compounds to induce cancer and other potentially hazardous compounds unique to the radiation process, and allows the sale of previously contaminated items. These myths, Skerrett wrote, bear "an uncanny resemblance to the acrimonious debate that raged over milk pasteurization in the early 1900s." Using examples, the article illustrated how public fear mongering about irradiation has prevented the food industry from significantly utilizing this promising technology, despite indications that consumers will accept irradiated food.
Ileana Bravo and Jeanne Antol, medical/health reporter and producer respectively, at WTVJ-TV (NBC) Ch. 6 in Miami, were the winners in the television category. Their story, "Dirty Fruit," emphasized the importance of washing produce before it is cut or eaten. Laboratory analysis of unwashed cantaloupe and watermelon revealed high bacteria counts on their surfaces. Among the microorganisms present were Streptococcus and mold, which were transferred to the interiors of the unwashed melons when cut. Using the laboratory results to support their points, the journalists noted that "washing fruit is the most effective way of reducing bacteria on the surface, even fruit you don't eat the skin of."
Each award winner will receive $1,000, a trophy, and trip to IFT's Annual Meeting in Atlanta, where they will be honored on June 20 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Founded in 1939, IFT is a non-profit scientific society with 28,000 members working in food science, technology and related professions in industry, academia and government. As the society for food science and technology, IF brings sound science to the public discussion of food issues.