Just as we were recovering from all the free guac we consumed on National Avocado Day, Chipotle has made the headlines again — but this time it’s not for more amazing food deals. According to Dayton Daily News, a Chipotle in Powell, Ohio is suspected of having caused more than 700 cases of food-borne illness.
Health officials told ABC News that people “complained of symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea”. The restaurant was closed as soon as reports about the outbreak surfaced but then reopened on July 31st.
Health officials continue to investigate the possible cause of the outbreak, according to a Twitter update on August 6th.
AUG. 6, 2018 CHIPOTLE UPDATE pic.twitter.com/lvMABlhQpZ
— Delaware Health Dist (@DelawareHealth) August 6, 2018
It’s not the first time that Chipotle’s made the news for causing food-related illnesses. After 53 reported E. coli outbreaks in 2015 and 2016, the Mexican grill chain was trying all it could to make up for its tainted reputation. With stricter food regulations and burrito discounts , Chipotle was finally on its way to recovery, according to Eater.
Now, with these newly reported food outbreaks, Chipotle has plummeted into more legal and financial turmoil as the chain finds itself facing at least two lawsuits. And Attorney Ron Simon tells Delish that these will only be “the first of many lawsuits we will be filing on behalf of local residents who were sickened by contaminated Chipotle food”. Although the outbreaks were only in Ohio, it looks like we’ll be avoiding the chain for a while even if their guac is hard to resist.