New York Times E coli poisoning story wins Pulitzer

The 2010 Pulitzer Prizes were just announced, and the prize for explanatory reporting goes to a food poisoning story. The Explanatory Reporting award is presented "for a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation, in print or online or both."

Awarded to Michael Moss and members of The New York Times Staff for relentless reporting on contaminated hamburger and other food safety issues that, in print and online, spotlighted defects in federal regulation and led to improved practices. (Moved by the Board from the Investigative Reporting category.)

The winning article, The Burger that Shattered Her Life, dug into the background of the hamburger that poisoned 22-year-old Minnesota dance instructor Stephanie Smith, and moved to an examination of food safety regulation in general. 

Hat tip: Bill Marler, who represents Stephanie Smith.  

Post by Donna M. Byrne, Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law