The past few years haven’t been good for Chipotle. The “healthy” burrito chain made headlines in 2015 following an E.coli outbreak in several of its restaurants. After extensive marketing efforts – and the passing of two years – Chipotle was just beginning to recover. But those efforts may have been in vain; a Sterling, VA Chipotle recently closed after several complaints of food poisoning. A total of eight people reported illnesses, including fevers and violent vomiting. Will Chipotle be able to bounce back after this latest food-poisoning scandal?
Chris Arnold, a spokesman for Chipotle, issued the following statement earlier this week:
“We are working with health authorities to understand what the cause may be and to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,” said Arnold. “The reported symptoms are consistent with norovirus. Norovirus does not come from our food supply, and it is safe to eat at Chipotle. We plan to reopen the restaurant today.”
According to Arnold, the Sterling, VA restaurant closed this week so that professionals can “conduct a complete sanitization.” Eight people reported poisonings that occurred between July 14 and 15 on iwaspoisoned.com. Apparently, 13 people became sick following the introduction of Chipotle’s new queso sauce. A Boston personal injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.
Will Chipotle Ever Recover?
It seems that this recent outbreak is linked to the same norovirus as the 2015 outbreak. The norovirus is highly contagious and may cause severe vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea. In response to the news, Chipotle shares dropped 4.3 percent on Tuesday. This comes on the heels of Chipotle’s June announcement that second-quarter profits may be low due to an increase in marketing spending in the wake of the 2015 health scare. A MA food poisoning attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve become ill due to another’s negligence.
According to the CDC, about 48 million food poisoning cases occur annually. Most people recover within a few days, but food poisoning can be deadly. This is especially true for vulnerable individuals, such as young children, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems. Food poisoning is most commonly caused by one of the following bacterium:
- Coli
- Hepatitis A
- Norovirus
- Listeria
- Salmonella
- Cyclospora
- Cryptosporidium
- Shigella
Avoid Food Poisoning
According to the CDC, approximately 325,000 people are hospitalized for food poisoning every year, and more than 5,000 people die. Food poisoning may occur in restaurants, but it can also occur with purchased food that we prepare at home. Although it is difficult to determine the safety of food we eat in restaurants, we can dramatically reduce our risk of becoming sick from food we prepare ourselves. When shopping for and storing food, keep the following tips in mind:
- Is the store clean (in appearance and smell)?
- Separate raw meat and seafood from the other items in your shopping cart. Put meats in plastic bags to prevent juices from contaminating other items.
- Don’t purchase food in jars or cans that are bulging or cracked.
- Shop for meat last.
- Perishable food items should be refrigerated as soon as possible and should not be kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Personal Injury Law Firm Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you have been injured due to another’s negligence, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years. Isolated food poisoning cases can be hard to prove, but damages are often easier to recover from outbreaks such as those plaguing Chipotle. At Altman & Altman, LLP, we will analyze the details of your case to determine the best possible solution for moving forward. Our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for our clients, and we will remain by your side throughout the entire process. If you’ve been injured, we can help. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.