Catherine Roberts

Catherine Roberts is a science journalist who aims to empower consumers to make informed decisions about health products, practices, and treatments. She investigates what works, what doesn't, and what may cause harm in people's health. At CR, she has covered infectious bugs (both pathogens and arthropods), the risks and benefits of screening tests, older adults' health, pesticides in food, and more. Catherine holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa and a master's degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. She is passionate about science fiction, running, Queens, and her cat, Edgar.

Biography:  https://www.consumerreports.org/about-us/our-people/our-experts/catherine-roberts/

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author is known for its high journalistic standards. The author strives to maintain neutrality and transparency in its reporting, and avoids conflicts of interest. The author has a reputation for accuracy and rarely gets contradicted on major discrepancies in its reporting.

Bias

98%

Examples:

  • Better choice: Opting for organic is likely the best choice here, or consuming these foods sparingly.
  • Better choice: Organic kale and mustard greens. Broccoli also posed a very low risk and has similar nutritional benefits.
  • Sweet potatoes. They posed a low risk, and are a nutritional powerhouse to boot.

Conflicts of Interest

100%

Examples:

No current examples available.

Contradictions

85%

Examples:

  • Imported green beans, even those labeled organic, tested high for the organophosphate insecticide acephate which is considered a possible human carcinogen.
  • Nearly all domestic conventional samples of hot peppers had residue of chlorpropham.

Deceptions

100%

Examples:

No current examples available.

Recent Articles

Top Produce Items with High Levels of Specific Pesticides: Blueberries, Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Apples and Bell Peppers

Top Produce Items with High Levels of Specific Pesticides: Blueberries, Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Apples and Bell Peppers

Broke On: Thursday, 18 April 2024 Recent studies by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group identified blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nectarines, apples, bell peppers as top sources of high pesticide residues. Imported produce like Mexican strawberries and green beans pose significant risks due to banned organophosphates. Washing produce reduces but doesn't eliminate pesticides; switching to organic is recommended.