UPDATE: September 18, 12:17 p.m.
Earlier this week, the Minnesota State Department of Health finally determined that tainted tomatoes are the source of Chipotle's recent salmonella outbreak. Since the outbreak was announced last week, 64 people total have fallen ill at 22 confirmed Chipotle locations. The product has been completely removed from all stores and while the Fox 9 reports that MDH has stated the public is no longer at risk, officials expect to see several more cases as, "it can take up to 10 days for symptoms of Salmonella to appear." Investigators are working to discover the source of the infected tomatoes and Chipotle has already switched suppliers.
UPDATE: September 14, 12:22 p.m.
In Minnesota, at least 17 Chipotle locations have been linked to a sudden outbreak of salmonella that has sickened 45 people so far. Five of those affected are currently hospitalized. The Star Tribune reports that 32 individuals who became sick had eaten at Chipotle restaurants in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Rochester areas. They had dined between August 16 and August 26 and fell ill between August 20 and August 29.
Though the source of these illnesses has yet to be confirmed, the Minnesota Department of Health suspects a single contaminated ingredient but would not identify it. However the Department did confirm that said ingredient has been swapped out for a new supply at all Chipotle locations in the state. While spokesman for the Department Doug Schultz said, "It's safe to eat at Chipotle," consumers are urged to contact health care providers if they suffer from a stomach illness within 12 to 72 hours after eating at the chain.
UPDATE: September 4, 11:32 a.m.
After a thorough investigation,health officials told the Associated Press that a foodborne virus could be the reason why nearly 100 customers and employees fell seriously ill after eating at a Chipotle location in Ventura County, CA. According to the county Environmental Health Division, seven employees at the outpost tested postive for norovirus, the highly contagious infection that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The illness is easily spread via contact with infected people, contaminated food, water, and surfaces. Authorities have confirmed that the sick employees will remain off-duty until they clear additional tests.
ORIGINAL POST: August 26, 2:15 p.m.
We've all felt that brief but intense panic the second our stomachs feel unsettled after eating at a new restaurant. But getting the tummy funnies after eating your go-to carnitas burrito at Chipotle? That's an entirely different level of fear—and flat-out misery. For 60 Chipotle customers in California, that nightmare became reality over the last week. In Ventura Country, health officials have confirmed reports from SoCal customers, who complained about getting sick (think vomiting and chills) after eating at a Chipotle restaurant in Simi Valley.
It's still unclear exactly what made everyone so ill; however Food Safety Supervisor Mike Byrne of Ventura County Environmental Health Division said that the Tex-Mex outpost sent home 17 employees for being sick. As a result of this and customer complaints, the location closed for business for an entire day and brought in a new supply food before reopening.
Health officials also inspected the restaurant on Monday, posting the following violations, which are a little unsettling:
- The premises and/or floors, walls, or ceiling are in an unsanitary condition.
- Equipment or utensils are not clean, fully operative, and in good repair.
- Flying insects observed within the food facility.
- Food handlers employed at this facility do not possess a valid food handler card and/or records documenting that food employees possess a valid food handler card are not maintained by the food facility for review as required.
- The restroom is unclean or in disrepair.
According to NBC4, this location has repeatedly been handed these same violations as far back as January. Yet health officials said that despite these violations, the Simi Valley Chipotle passed its overall inspection.
One customer, Cindy Vazquez, is keeping her receipt for $16 worth of Chipotle eats after the food reportedly made her and her sister fall ill. "We were throwing up, going to the bathroom. We had really bad chills," she said after visiting the restuarant on Aug. 18. "I just want to get the answer … to see what happened to all of us, if there is something in the food or if something went wrong with handling the food."
We're not saying that you should steer clear of the chain, but this news isn't making us get in line at our local Chipotle to get oversize burritos with tons of free extra toppings. Good thing we now know how to make that legendary guac at home.
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