Chipotle Mexican Grill was thrust back into the spotlight this summer after another bought with food poisoning shut down a store on Sawmill Parkway in Powell, Ohio.
A number of food poisoning lawsuits have already been filed against Chiptole for this most recent food safety issue.
A gastrointestinal illness affected nearly 700 people in the area with diarrhea, fever, and nausea between July 26 and July 30. At the time of the outbreak, the cause was yet to be determined.
Samples were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Ohio Department of Health. This week, the CDC announced the cause: clostridium perfringens, also known as C. perfringens.
Clostridium perfringens is a type of bacteria that manifests when food is left at unsafe temperatures. It was reported that after inspections during the initial outbreak, packages of meat and produce were not properly stored.
According to Foodsafety.gov, clostridium perfringens thrive between 40 and 140 degrees which means they grow quickly at room temperature. However, they cannot grow while refrigerated or frozen.
C. perfringens typically occurs when food is prepared in large batches and kept at room temperature for long periods of time.
Though Clostridium perfringens is one of the most common causes of food poisoning, this is not the first time Chipotle has made national headlines with illness outbreaks.
In 2015, an e. Coli outbreak threw the restaurant into a PR crisis regarding its health and safety for consumers. Hundreds of people came down with the illness, which cast a negative eye towards the Mexican fast food restaurant.
Shortly after that, 120 people were infected with norovirus from another Chipotle location.
The company hired former Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol in February to help reset its good-faith with the public. Niccol replaced Chipotle founder Steve Ells as CEO as he aimed to push new menu items and accessibility for diners.
Niccol said the company will be retraining employees on food safety and wellness next week.
Questions About a Powell, Ohio Chipotle Food Poisoning Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one were sickened with Clostridium perfringens after eating at Chipotle, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new food poisoning lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
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