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Published on January 02, 2025

Jeff Benedict ’91 documentary ‘Poisoned’ wins Emmy

Jeff Benedict '91
Jeff Benedict '91
Jeff Benedict '91
Benedict speaks at the film screening of "Poisoned" at Eastern's Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall on Sept. 24.

“Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food,” a Netflix documentary based on a book by Jeff Benedict ’91, won the Emmy for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary this September at the 45th News & Documentary Emmy Awards.   

Released on Netflix in August 2023, the film is based on Benedict's 2011 book "Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat."   

"Writing the book 'Poisoned' and getting it published was one of the harder things I've done in my career," said Benedict. "The opportunity to turn the book into a documentary film for Netflix a decade later was a dream come true. These things take time and persistence and a little bit of luck. But food safety is an important issue that affects everyone ... I'm grateful to have been part of a terrifically talented and dedicated team that made this important film.” 

"Poisoned" documentary

Benedict's "Poisoned" documentary

The night before the Emmys, Benedict hosted a screening of ‘Poisoned’ for students at Eastern on Sept. 24. "We were thrilled to welcome Jeff back to campus," said Ken DeLisa, vice president emeritus for Institutional Advancement. "His dedication to investigative journalism and storytelling has earned him national recognition, and it was an honor to host this screening on the eve of such a significant moment in his career." 

Benedict is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and seasoned television/film producer who has written 17 nonfiction books and more than 100 articles and essays exploring a diverse range of topics, from Indian casinos to biographies on sports icons. 

Written by Michael Rouleau '11