Chipotle E. Coli Outbreak Sickens more than 40 People in 2 States
More than 40 Chipotle restaurants across Oregon and Washington were shut down on Friday after 22 cases of E. coli were traced to the establishments.
An investigation is now underway into the source of the outbreak, which began October 14, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Three people in the Portland area and 19 people in Washington have been sickened by the food-borne pathogen. Eight of the affected individuals had to be hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
“While the outbreak appears to be linked to food served at Chipotle restaurants, the food or other source of contamination hasn’t yet been determined and remains under investigation,” the department said.
“Anyone who thinks they may have become ill from eating at a Chipotle restaurant in the past three weeks should consult their healthcare provider,” epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist said in a Washington Health Department statement.
It’s possible there are more cases of E. coli infections than what have been reported so far, said Jonathan Modie, a spokesman with the Oregon Health Authority, as many people may not see a doctor after getting sick. E. coli can cause symptoms like nausea and vomiting; abdominal cramping, pain and tenderness; and diarrhea that can be watery or bloody. In rare cases, E. coli infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can result in kidney failure and death. HUS symptoms include pale skin, lethargy, little or no urine output, easy bruising and a rash. [1]
“Many people affected with Shiga toxin E. coli may not seek health care, so the number of people made ill by this outbreak is likely more than identified,” Modie said. “Health officials want people who have eaten at a Chipotle between Oct. 14 and 23 and become ill with vomiting and bloody diarrhea to see their health-care provider and mention this outbreak.”
Chris Arnold, Chipotle’s communications director, said in a statement that the people who got sick ate at six different Chipotle restaurants. “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our highest priority,” he said. “We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by this situation.”
Arnold said in the statement that once the company was notified of the E. coli outbreak, “we immediately closed all of our restaurants in the area out of an abundance of caution, even though the vast majority of these restaurants have no reported problems.”
The closures came at a particularly inopportune time, as Chipotle typically holds a Halloween promotion. This year, customers were offered a $3 “boorito” if they came into the Mexican food chain in costume with an added off-theme accessory. [2]
More than 100 people were infected by the norovirus this past summer after eating at a Chipotle in Simi Valley, California, many of whom wound up the ER. Eighteen of those sickened were employees at the restaurant. The restaurant voluntarily closed, tossed out all remaining food products and sent the sick employees home. Health officials also inspected the facility. [3]
In August, 22 Minnesota Chipotle restaurants were discovered to be the source of a Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 45 people. Health officials reported in September that the source of the contamination was tomatoes.
Sources:
[1] Mayo Clinic
[2] NBC News
[3] Eater
The irony can’t be lost on people that this is the same company that recently make a big deal about going “non-GMO” in an attempt to make their food appear healthier in the minds of consumers. I certainly hope all those sicked recover without lasting effects. Sometimes where you eat is more important than what you eat.
So eating at McDonalds is safer? Lol. Tell that to all the people who have gotten sick from their food…
Never said it was safer to eat at McDonald’s. Where did you get that idea? I never even said “McDonald’s”.
It was just an example. I could have said any number of other fast-food-chain names like KFC or Burger King. Food poisoning happens in all food sectors, unfortunately. It really is too bad that Chipotles is having a problem because they were the only fast-food place I would visit. I guess that just means that I’ll have to always be on the ball here at home so that we don’t have to eat out on occasion.
I think it’s still reasonably safe to eat out. I imagine, statistically speaking, you’re no less likely to get good poisoning from homemade meals (I’m not speaking about you’re cooking specifically) as you are at a fast food restaurant. We just don’t hear about food poisoning at home. I could be wrong but that’s the general impression I’ve gotten.
I don’t necessarily avoid going out to eat because of food-poisoning risk. It’s more to avoid the ingredients in most of the restaurant’s foods, and because it’s cheaper to eat at home. I still eat conventional foods when we go to local pizza places, but that’s about once a week or two weeks. I think avoiding the lettuce for now at Chipotles would be best if I go back there soon–at least until they get their act together better. I’m guessing lettuce is the current problem, of course–it could be a different ingredient, like in the salsa.
I make similar choices too. Eating out occasionally is fine I think, but not healthy (unless you are very selective) or economical to do regularly.