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Eastern to screen Netflix documentary 'Poisoned' and host Q&A with executive producer, alum Jeff Benedict '91

Benedict returns to Eastern on the eve of the Emmys

Willimantic, CT (09/17/2024) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host a screening of the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary "Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food" on Sept. 24, followed by a Q&A with executive producer and Eastern alumnus Jeff Benedict '91. The event will occur at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall.

Nominated for the 45th News and Documentary Emmy Awards (happening Sept. 25 in New York City), the film is based on Benedict's 2011 book titled "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 letter 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 Emmy-nominated film. And I'm thrilled that we get to screen the documentary at Eastern Connecticut State University on the eve of the Emmy Awards."

Benedict received an honorary degree from Eastern this past May at the University's 134th commencement ceremony. "We are thrilled to welcome Jeff back to campus to screen this important film," said Ken DeLisa, vice president emeritus for Institutional Advancement. "His dedication to investigative journalism and storytelling has earned him national recognition, and it's an honor to host this screening on the eve of such a significant moment in his career."

Released in August 2023 on Netflix, the documentary investigates the failure of the U.S. food industry and government agencies to create a safe and stable national food supply. The film reports on the history of food-borne illnesses such as E.coli and salmonella, which affect millions of individuals annually. "Poisoned" is directed by Stephanie Soechtig, executive produced by Benedict and produced by Ross M. Dinerstein and Kristin Lazure.

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.

His 2020 book, "The Dynasty," about the New England Patriots, was adapted into a 10-part docuseries for Apple+. His most recent book, published in April 2023, is a biography of NBA star LeBron James. He also co-wrote a bestselling biography of golf legend Tiger Woods, which became the basis of an HBO documentary and is being developed into a television series. He co-wrote a bestselling autobiography of Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and was a writer and creative consultant for "Steve Young: A Football Life," which aired on the NFL Network in 2016.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. In addition to attracting students from 160 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 30 states and eight countries. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 20 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2022-23 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 14 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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