E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle expands to 6 states

The CDC also reported two cases in California, two in Minnesota, two in NY, one in OH, and 13 in Oregon.

The new outbreak reports came from California, OH and NY, the CDC said, bringing to six the number of states affected.

Chipotle said in a statement that it is working closely with state and federal health officials and noted that there have been no new reported cases of E. coli in Washington or Oregon. This comes mere weeks after the popular restaurant chain was linked to E. coli outbreaks in OR and Washington state.

So far, 45 people have been infected, with 43 of them saying they ate at Chipotle in the week before they became sick. There have been no deaths.

The CDC’s findings suggest that the outbreak is linked to one particular menu item served at Chipotles in multiple states, but have not yet determined the specific food responsible for the illness. The restaurants were then reopened last week after being deeply cleaned and receiving fresh food supplies.

Now what: An E. coli scare has the potential to keep customers away from Chipotle’s restaurants, and depending on how severe the outbreak ends up being, it could have long-lasting negative effects on the company’s brand.

Forty-three of 45 ill people interviewed reported eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in the week before their illness started. More than 40 people have fallen ill due to E. coli food poisoning, they reported.

Sixteen people are hospitalized but no one has expired, according to the CDC.

Those sickened, who range in age from 2 years to 94, reported onset of illness dates ranging from October 19, 2015 to November 8, 2015.

“We take this incident very seriously because the safety of our food and well-being of our customers is always our highest priority”, Chief Executive Steve Ells said in a news release”.

Advertisement

The chain said they are examining their entire process from farm to restaurant and expanding testing of key ingredients and examining all of their food safety procedures for any areas where improvements can be made.