But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement that “preliminary laboratory evidence indicates that a celery and onion diced blend produced by Taylor Farms Pacific Inc. may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7”.
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Though the investigations are still going on to find out which specific food is linked to illness, but CDC epidemiologist, who is leading the investigation revealed in an interview that “probably it isn’t a meat” because numerous people who were infected by food poisoning were vegetarians.
The majority of the illnesses reported are in the states of Washington and Oregon.
The breakdown of cases by state is as follows: California (3), IL (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), NY (1), OH (3), OR (13), Pennsylvania (1), and Washington (27). A total of 52 people have been infected, however, only 47 of them ate at a Chipotle restaurant a week before experiencing symptoms.
With 19 sick from E. coli O157 linked to Costco rotisserie chicken salad, investigators are looking at ingredients for the original source.
People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, the bacteria commonly associated with foodborne outbreaks, for two to eight days after swallowing the germ, according to the CDC.
Chipotle, which is known for touting the quality of its ingredients, also said Friday it was tightening its food standards.
In addition, Chipotle said it expects to spend between $6 million and $8 million to replace food, send food samples for analysis, test restaurants and consult with advisers.
Comparable restaurant sales are anticipated to fall between 8% and 11% for the 2015 fourth quarter after comparable store sales dropped 16% in November.
It said that no ingredients that are likely to have been connected to the incident remain in its restaurants or supply system. The company noted that its local produce program accounts for a “relatively small percentage” of the produce it uses, and only runs from around June through October in most parts of the country.
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The New York Times reported about how the stocks of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
