CDC Declares Chipotle-Linked E-Coli Outbreak Over
February 01 2016 - 2:00PM
Dow Jones News
An E. coli outbreak that sickened 55 customers of Chipotle
Mexican Grill Inc. and contributed to a sharp decline in traffic at
its restaurants appears to be over, the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention said Monday.
Federal investigators said they couldn't identify a contaminated
food or ingredient responsible for the illnesses, which occurred
late last year in 11 states.
The CDC also said Monday that a smaller E. coli outbreak linked
to Chipotle appears to be over. That outbreak, associated with a
different strain of E. coli, sickened five people in three
states.
Though evidence collected by investigators following the two
outbreaks indicated that a common meal or ingredient served at
Chipotle restaurants likely was responsible, health officials
couldn't pinpoint a specific source, according to the CDC.
"We are pleased that the CDC has concluded its investigation,
and we have offered our full cooperation throughout," Chipotle
spokesman Chris Arnold said in a statement. "Over the past few
months we have taken significant steps to improve the safety of all
of the food we serve, and we are confident that the changes we have
made mean that every item on our menu is delicious and safe."
Since the CDC's last update to the public on Dec. 21, two more
people were reported ill, in Delaware and Kentucky, raising the
number of cases in the larger outbreak from 53 to 55. according to
the agency. The most-recent illness connected to that outbreak
started on Dec. 1.
Chipotle shares were up at 4.9% to $475 in midday trading
Monday. The stock jumped earlier in the session following a report
by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday that the CDC was expected to
soon declare the outbreak over.
Write to Jesse Newman at jesse.newman@wsj.com and Julie Jargon
at julie.jargon@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 01, 2016 13:45 ET (18:45 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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