State rep. says Yuma feedlot not tied to E. coli outbreak
An Arizona state representative is alleging that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) claims on the recent E. coli outbreak in Yuma being linked to a feedlot are not based on facts.
In a report, the FDA suggested that the canal is close to the cattle feedlot where the lettuce was grown in Yuma. Although they did not state a specific source, the investigation is still ongoing.
Representative David Cook (R-8) sent a letter to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Wednesday regarding a pending report where the FDA claims the outbreak being linked to a feedlot.
In the letter, Cook states that the outbreak is in fact not linked to the feedlot. Cook also said the claims are unsubstantiated and have far-reaching effects against the industry and are dangerous insinuations not based on facts.
“I am requesting a stop to this report that has been based on a hypothesis. For the full weight of consequences that this entails, we must rely on scientific data and definitive connections,” Cook said.
The FDA plans on releasing a final report with additional samples and examining a possible connection with the feedlot, the water near it, and other factors that could explain the contamination and how it relates to the outbreak.
