UPDATE: December 22, 2015 at 4:21 p.m.

According to a new update from the CDC and FDA, the evidence currently available suggests that a common meal item or ingredient served at Chipotle restaurants in several states is the likely culprit of both e. coli outbreaks. That being said, both agencies reiterate that the investigations are still ongoing and it is still unclear which specific food item(s) is linked to the foodborne illness. Which, in our humble opinion, is unsettling to say the least. 

ORIGINAL POST: December 21, 2015 at 5:35 p.m.

Last month Chipotle made headlines after it was forced to shutter more than 40 locations in two states due to an e. coli outbreak, which then spread to nine states and sickened 53 people. After that, norovirus arrived at one location in Boston and we learned that there was potentially a fourth outbreak of e.coli that followed September's salmonella cases. In short, it has not been an easy year for the burrito chain. 

Now Chipotle is facing an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) after another round of e. coli cases turned up in Kansas, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. So far, five people have fallen ill and their sickness began between Nov. 18 and Nov. 26. According to the Associated Press, the CDC notes that these cases are not being linked to the massive nine-state incident that began in October. 

Last week, the company's co-CEO, Steve Ells, told CNBC that "We can assure you today that there is no E. coli in Chipotle. We have thoroughly tested our food, we have thoroughly tested our surfaces and we are confident that Chipotle is a safe place to eat." 

However, the company is acknowledging the current cases, telling ABC News in a statement: "We have indicated before that we expected that we may see additional cases stemming from this, and CDC is now reporting some additional cases. Since this issue began, we have completed a comprehensive reassessment of our food safety programs with an eye to finding best practices for each of the ingredients we use."

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.

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