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FDA Finds No E. coli or Salmonella Contamination in Yuma Romaine Lettuce

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that no widespread E. coli or salmonella contamination was found in romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region following testing.

The research follows a Spring 2018 outbreak of E.coli linked to romaine lettuce grown near Yuma. The outbreak involved 210 people in 36 states.  Five people died, 96 were hospitalized and 27 developed kidney failure. 

Paula Rivadeneira is a specialist for food safety at the University of Arizona Agricultural Extension in Yuma.

“I’m hoping that this really will show the public that our farmers are really doing an amazing job of keeping our food safe,” Rivadeneira said.

The FDA began sampling romaine lettuce on December 17, 2018, shortly after the season’s harvest began.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
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