Health officials reported new cases of E. coli infections linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant have now reached six states throughout the United States.
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The new reports of illness were linked to Chipotle restaurants in Turlock, California; Akron, Ohio; Amherst, New York; and Burnsville, Minnesota.
Though the investigations are still going on regarding what specific food is linked to illness, reported by Bloomberg, CDC epidemiologist who is leading the investigation stated in an interview that “probably it isn’t a meat” as some of the people who are affected by food poisoning are vegetarians.
Sixteen people have been hospitalized, but there have been no deaths, the agency said.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. closed 43 restaurants in OR and Washington in late October after health officials discovered most of the people sickened in the outbreak had eaten at its restaurants.
If you became ill with diarrhea symptoms after eating at a Chipotle recently, you should contact a doctor, the CDC said.
Illnesses that occurred after October 31 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported, which can take 2-3 weeks, according to the CDC.
However, now the outlets are reopened but under certain conditions including replacing of their produce as well as cleaning thoroughly the eateries. Chipotle has also conducted voluntary testings on their own to test food coming to their branches.
Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold told reporters that the company believes “it is (not) necessary to close any restaurants”.
Reuters reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now say additional customers at Chipotle locations in California, Ohio, New York and Minnesota have gotten a little E. coli with their barbacoa and cilantro-lime white rice. It also hired safety consultants, sanitized the restaurants and threw out unused food. The disease then spread to Minnesota.
“What they’re really focusing on right now is the supply chain”.
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Meanwhile, the CDC said they will advise the public as soon as measures are identified so that they can protect themselves. “Who supplied what product to these stores?”, added Marler.
