Food Recall Reporter Project Guide
Breaking News Desk
Food Safety Investigative Unit
RECALL PROJECT • STAGE 2
Become The News Reporter
Transform your research into an urgent, informative broadcast or front-page news article.
Core Question What does the public need to know to stay safe?
Reporter Name
Broadcast Date
Period / Class
Recalled Product
Step 1: Choose Your Media Format (Select Option A or B)
OPTION A: News Report Video 2–4 Minutes
Produce a high-energy broadcast with an anchor intro, on-scene field reporting, news graphics, and camera sign-off.
☐ Solo ☐ Partner ☐ Small Group (Teacher Approval)
OPTION B: Investigative News Article Print / Digital
Write a published newspaper article using the inverted pyramid structure: bold headline, 5 W's lead, and 5 detailed body sections.
☐ Solo Journalist ☐ Co-Authored Feature
1 Opening Hook — Grab Your Audience Start with breaking-news energy
Professional Broadcast Example:
"Good evening. We begin tonight with a fast-moving food safety alert affecting consumers across the Midwest. A popular packaged salad has been pulled from store shelves after federal health officials linked it to a multi-state Listeria outbreak..."
Draft Your Attention-Grabbing Opening Hook:
2 Professional Reporter Sign-Off Clear action call + signature sign-out
Professional Sign-Off Example:
"Consumers are strongly encouraged to inspect their pantries and discard any affected lot codes immediately. For hotlines and batch numbers, visit the FDA recall hub. Reporting live for Channel 6 News, I'm [Your Name]."
Draft Your Custom Reporter Sign-Off:
Investigative Journalism Packet • Section 01 Page 1 of 4
3
Story Architecture & Fact Dossier
Every story must report all 12 facts
The Fact Checklist: Verify & Check Off As You Outline Check each item as it is integrated
1. Food product name
2. Company / Brand
3. Recall date & timeline
4. Geographic distribution
5. Root cause / reason
6. Suspected contaminant
7. Pathogen / organism
8. Health symptoms
9. Vulnerable populations
10. Consumer action / disposal
11. Lot codes / UPC identification
12. Additional help sources
4 News Story Structural Blueprint Plan your segments (Video) or paragraphs (Article)
LEAD SEGMENT: The 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) Deliver immediate critical facts
BODY PART 1: What Happened & Company Details Manufacturer response, product line, scale:
BODY PART 2: The Investigation & Discovery How contamination happened or was detected:
BODY PART 3: The Pathogen & Medical Symptoms Biological risks, incubation time, high-risk groups:
BODY PART 4: Consumer Action & Safe Disposal Do not eat, returns, sanitizing surfaces:
CLOSING: Food Safety Resources & Verification Contacts Official agency hotlines, FDA/USDA URLs:
5 Headline Challenge — Draft 3 Compelling Angles Circle your final chosen headline
ANGLE 1 (Urgent):
◯ Selected
ANGLE 2 (Science):
◯ Selected
ANGLE 3 (Consumer):
◯ Selected
Investigative Journalism Packet • Section 02 Page 2 of 4
6
Visual Assets, Verification & Final Clearance
Editorial Review
Visual Evidence Desk (Include At Least 2–3 Visuals) Broadcast overlays or article figures
☐ Product packaging ☐ Company logo ☐ Official recall notice ☐ Outbreak map ☐ Pathogen graphic ☐ Investigation timeline
Visual Asset #1:
Description
Source / Credit
Visual Asset #2:
Description
Source / Credit
Visual Asset #3:
Description
Source / Credit
Source Check Desk (List At Least 3 Reliable Sources) FDA • USDA • CDC • State Health Depts
Source #1:
Source #2:
Source #3:
Reporter’s Final Pre-Submission Checklist Must answer YES to every item
I researched a real, verified food recall.
I identified where the product was sold.
I clearly identified the company and product.
I explained what consumers should do.
I explained exactly why the product was recalled.
I included lot codes and product ID details.
I identified the suspected contamination cause.
I cited at least 3 reliable, verified sources.
I detailed the foodborne illness and pathogen.
I included at least 2–3 relevant visuals.
I explained medical symptoms and risks.
My information is 100% factual and accurate.
I presented my report in an authentic, professional journalistic or broadcast news style.
Mission Debrief
"What Does The Public Need To Know To Stay Safe?"
Your role is not simply to inform—it is to protect. Ensure every viewer or reader knows how to identify risk and take immediate protective action.
Editorial Approval READY TO PUBLISH / AIR
Investigative Journalism Packet • Section 03 Page 3 of 4
Editorial Board Assessment
Broadcast & Article Scoring Standards
TOTAL: 50 POINTS
News Reporter Performance Rubric
Scored across 5 standards (10 points each) for television news packages and investigative articles.
Evaluator:
Core Standard
4 • Exemplary (9–10)
3 • Proficient (7–8)
2 • Developing (5–6)
1 • Emerging (1–4)
Score
1. Hook & Lead (5 W's) 10 Points Max
Captivates immediately; flawlessly delivers all 5 W's with authentic news urgency.
Clear news hook; includes all 5 W's with minor lapses in pacing or punchiness.
Weak hook; missing 1–2 of the 5 W's; sounds like a basic school report.
Missing hook; lacks critical facts; confusing introduction.
/10
2. Fact Dossier & Science 10 Points Max
Covers all 12 facts thoroughly; explains pathogen biology, root cause & specific symptoms.
Covers 10–11 facts; accurate pathogen identification and basic symptom overview.
Covers 7–9 facts; vague explanation of pathogen or how contamination occurred.
Fewer than 7 facts; inaccurate pathogen facts or severe information gaps.
/10
3. Consumer Protection 10 Points Max
Crystal-clear consumer instructions; precise lot/UPC codes, safe disposal & hotlines.
Good consumer advice and product identification; includes agency website/hotline.
General warning given, but missing specific lot codes, refund, or disposal steps.
Fails to guide consumers; does not answer how the public can stay safe.
/10
4. Visuals & Source Check 10 Points Max
3+ verified authoritative sources (FDA/CDC); 2–3 high-impact visuals cited with credits.
3 sources cited; 2 relevant visuals included with recognizable source attribution.
Only 1–2 sources; visuals are decorative rather than informative; vague citations.
No credible sources cited; missing required visuals; unverified claims.
/10
5. Production & Delivery 10 Points Max
Seamless broadcast presence or inverted-pyramid prose; memorable sign-off; flawless grammar.
Appropriate journalistic tone; professional sign-off included; clear pacing and audio/text.
Conversational/informal tone; rushed broadcast delivery or frequent grammatical errors.
Incomplete delivery; missing sign-off; poor audio/video quality or unedited text.
/10
Editor-in-Chief Feedback & Commendations
Total Score
___ / 50
45–50: Exemplary Broadcast A
40–44: Newsroom Standard B
35–39: Developing Story C
Below 35: Needs Revision NY
Investigative Journalism Packet • Section 04: Assessment Rubric Page 4 of 4