It turns out even Chipotle isn’t perfect. Seventeen Chipotle locations in Minnesota have been linked to a recent salmonella outbreak and are currently under investigation by the state’s health officials.
THE OUTBREAK
At least 45 people were sickened in the recent outbreak, and at least five have been hospitalized. Investigators had spoken with 34 affected people as of Saturday, 32 of whom ate at one of the 17 Minnesota Chipotle locations between August 16-26. Those interviewed became sick between August 20-29.
Officials are still working on confirming the specific source of the outbreak. They believe it to have been an “undisclosed ingredient,” and Chipotle has resourced the item being investigated.
This outbreak is reported to be unrelated to the much wider spread of salmonella across 30 states by cucumbers, distributed by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce and responsible for sickening 341 people. It is also unrelated to an incident in Simi Valley, California, where another Chipotle location is responding to a pretty severe Norovirus situation. Over 100 cases late last month were traced to the restaurant, which had to send 17 staff home sick and shut down for a day to reboot.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR SALMONELLA
It can be hard to say which incidences of food poisoning are preventable, and which are truly unfortunate accidents. Rashes of sickness like the ones we’ve seen this summer really speak to the importance of handwashing and diligent adherence to health codes when you work in the food industry–but it’s possible that some things slip through the cracks.
Chipotle, ever the noble ambassadors of good burrito will, have been humble and cooperative throughout the investigation. Health officials are giving the company kind words and gold stars (despite, you know, the salmonella). One spokesperson for the department of health said that “Chipotle has been extremely proactive in collaborating with investigators to quickly control the outbreak and identify its source.” Another asserted the Health Department’s confidence that it is now safe to eat at Chipotle, sharing that he had a burrito bowl there last Wednesday.
CHECK YOURSELF FOR SALMONELLA
Health officials also advised that this outbreak may have affected more than just the reported 45 people, given that many cases of salmonella go unseen by a doctor. Again, no one new should be affected by any potential contamination of the Minnesota Chipotle locations–resume your Chipotle duties according to their regular schedule. But be sure to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any signs and symptoms of salmonella food poisoning, especially because around 28 percent of cases require hospitalization, and invasive infections or other complications can occasionally occur.
And for the record, this author apologizes for contributing to ties between the good name of Chipotle and the gross realities of food poisoning. We still love you, Chipotle–it could have happened to anyone.
