Chipotle, otherwise known as Chipot-bae and other monikers, closed 43 of its locations in the northwest after an e. Coli breakout. This outbreak would mark the chain's third foodborne illness this year alone. Previous incidents include a salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes in Minnesota and a norovirus that was reported by the company's workers and customers in California in mid-August. The 43 locations in which the current illness broke out were voluntarily shut down by the company.
E. Coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals. A certain type, however, can cause intestinal infection. This type of e. Coli is usually associated with food and often causes food poisoning. Side effects include vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Most cases will resolve themselves within a week, but if left untreated symptoms can lead to dehydration and kidney failure, and can lead to death.
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No deaths have been reported, but eight people were hospitalized due to the incident. 19 cases of this food-related illness are currently being investigated by health authorities. Chris Arnold, the Communications Director for Chipotle said, “There have been links made to six restaurants in the Seattle and Portland areas. We have closed 43 restaurants in those markets out of an abundance of caution.” The incident is affecting the company's stocks as they are currently under investigation. Jonathan Modie, a spokesman for the Oregon Public Health Division told CNBC, “We are looking at everything but our epidemiology investigation is guiding us toward produce," Modie said. "Chipotle has meat products, but based on things we heard from people who got sick...it seems like the most common denominator is some kind of vegetable course.” Their stocks have gone down 2.5 percent after Chipotle willing closed the 43 locations affected by the illness.
The fact that the restaurant has had three outbreaks within a year is making people skeptical of the restaurant's food safety practices. The exact source of the outbreak is not yet known and it is expected that more people will be affected than the current numbers show. It is believed, though, that e.Coli may be linked to lettuce or another fresh product they serve. Often, foods can become contaminated in the process of transportation to restaurants.
Although the restaurant has suffered this minor setback, it does not seem like the incident will cause any long term damage and customers don't need to worry about losing their beloved burrito bowls.
