Chipotle misses the microbiological mark - again
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., famous for telling consumers what isn’t in its foods – antibiotics, hormones – and has had a couple of recent unpleasantries associated with their food – norovirus and hepatitis A – announced it will start buying locally raised produce for its restaurants this summer.
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Under the plan, 25 percent of at least one of its produce items, including romaine lettuce, green bell and jalapeño peppers and red onions, for each of its 730-plus restaurants, will be sourced from small and mid-sized local farms.
I’m all for local food, as long as someone is checking to ensure the microbiological safety of fresh produce. Local does not automatically mean safe.
Under the plan, 25 percent of at least one of its produce items, including romaine lettuce, green bell and jalapeño peppers and red onions, for each of its 730-plus restaurants, will be sourced from small and mid-sized local farms. I’m all for local food, as long as someone is checking to ensure the microbiological safety of fresh produce. Local does not automatically mean safe.
Chipotle hep A climbs to 14
NBCSandiego reported yesterday that the cases of Hep A linked to a La Mesa Chipotle has reached 14. The story says that most concern is over anyone who dined at the restaurant located at 8005 Fletcher Parkway between March 1 and April 22. Officials were cited as saying blood samples taken so far from restaurant employees have not shown any recent Hepatitis A infections.
With 14 cases and so far no employee testing for any signs of Hep A, I wonder if this outbreak is
linked to a common food vehicle from a supplier, or one mixed/prepared in store. Wonder if there has been a spike in what is thought to be sporadic Hep A cases associated with other outlets suppliers sent product to.
With 14 cases and so far no employee testing for any signs of Hep A, I wonder if this outbreak is
linked to a common food vehicle from a supplier, or one mixed/prepared in store. Wonder if there has been a spike in what is thought to be sporadic Hep A cases associated with other outlets suppliers sent product to.Hepatitis A illnesses linked to San Diego Chipotle now at 12
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports six additional cases of Hepatitis A linked to possible exposure at a Chipotle restaurant in La Mesa, bringing the total number of cases to 12.
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The County recommends that individuals who dined at the restaurant between March 1 and April 22, 2008 -- and are symptomatic for Hepatitis A -- see their physician to be screened for the illness.
Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County of San Diego Public Health Officer, said,
“Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. The key to prevention also includes appropriate and frequent hand-washing."
Monty Moran, president and chief operating officer of Chipotle, said,
“We continue to partner with the County of San Diego as they investigate the cause of this illness. Employees tested to date have been negative for Hepatitis A. Our restaurant has received ‘A’ ratings in all five inspections in the last five months.”
Keep poop out of food. Wash your damn hands.
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The County recommends that individuals who dined at the restaurant between March 1 and April 22, 2008 -- and are symptomatic for Hepatitis A -- see their physician to be screened for the illness.Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County of San Diego Public Health Officer, said,
“Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. The key to prevention also includes appropriate and frequent hand-washing."
Monty Moran, president and chief operating officer of Chipotle, said,
“We continue to partner with the County of San Diego as they investigate the cause of this illness. Employees tested to date have been negative for Hepatitis A. Our restaurant has received ‘A’ ratings in all five inspections in the last five months.”
Keep poop out of food. Wash your damn hands.
San Diego Chipotle linked to hepatitis A outbreak
The San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and County Department of Environmental Health are investigating six cases of hepatitis A linked to a La Mesa Chipotle restaurant. …
Hepatitis A is a result of poor hygiene. Health officials say that victims are exposed when an individual consumes water or food contaminated with the stool of someone with the virus.
These hepatitis A cases are a weekly occurrence in the U.S. A food worker parties in Mexico or the Dominican or Honduras, where hepatitis A is endemic. Food worker comes home, is fine for two weeks, then spends the next two weeks crapping out virus. And unless food worker is really diligent about handwashing, she's spreading virus-containing poop on food -- especially fresh produce or salads. After four weeks, food worker turns yellow and goes to the doctor where a diagnosis is made. Then the clinics start. In this case, a food worker has not been identified as the source -- yet.
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A. And dude, wash your damn hands.
Hepatitis A is a result of poor hygiene. Health officials say that victims are exposed when an individual consumes water or food contaminated with the stool of someone with the virus.These hepatitis A cases are a weekly occurrence in the U.S. A food worker parties in Mexico or the Dominican or Honduras, where hepatitis A is endemic. Food worker comes home, is fine for two weeks, then spends the next two weeks crapping out virus. And unless food worker is really diligent about handwashing, she's spreading virus-containing poop on food -- especially fresh produce or salads. After four weeks, food worker turns yellow and goes to the doctor where a diagnosis is made. Then the clinics start. In this case, a food worker has not been identified as the source -- yet.
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A. And dude, wash your damn hands.
Chipotle norovirus outbreak - New infosheet
Katie Byard at Ohio.com reports this morning that the number of potential norovirus cases linked to a Kent, Ohio Chipotle has grown to 435. The story also says that Chipotle has established a claims process to reimburse the related medical expenses of those who became ill (good move on their part).
The outbreak also inspired our infosheet this week. We hope that the infosheet generates discussion amongst food handlers about norovirus outbreaks and what can be done to reduce the risk.
Click here to download the infosheet.
The outbreak also inspired our infosheet this week. We hope that the infosheet generates discussion amongst food handlers about norovirus outbreaks and what can be done to reduce the risk.
Click here to download the infosheet.
All natural norovirus at Chipotle in Ohio
The Chipotle restaurant across from Kent State University in Ohio appears to be the source of hundreds of norovirus illnesses this weekend.
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One report cited Kent health officials as saying that 432 people had reported norovirus symptoms as of Monday afternoon.
Victims began showing up at local hospitals Thursday evening and the restaurant closed Friday.
Many of those who got ill were Kent State University students. The restaurant is directly across from the campus, and students who took part in a recent American Red Cross blood drive received a coupon for free food at Chipotle.
Kent Health Commissioner John Ferlito said Saturday the health department and the Denver-based restaurant chain agreed to switch employees out of concern that the outbreak might be caused by a sick employee. Several of the restaurant's employees had been ill, but they also had eaten the restaurant's food.
Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said in a statement Saturday,
"Local health department officials have found no violations in inspections of our Kent State restaurant conducted after this incident was first reported, and again in an inspection this morning. We have reopened our restaurant with their full support. We have taken preventative steps that meet or exceed health department requirements, and will continue to assist them in their investigation."
If someone wants to check out Kent State University and Chipotle on Facebook, I bet there's lots of stories to hear.
Antibiotics? How about norovirus?
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One report cited Kent health officials as saying that 432 people had reported norovirus symptoms as of Monday afternoon.Victims began showing up at local hospitals Thursday evening and the restaurant closed Friday.
Many of those who got ill were Kent State University students. The restaurant is directly across from the campus, and students who took part in a recent American Red Cross blood drive received a coupon for free food at Chipotle.
Kent Health Commissioner John Ferlito said Saturday the health department and the Denver-based restaurant chain agreed to switch employees out of concern that the outbreak might be caused by a sick employee. Several of the restaurant's employees had been ill, but they also had eaten the restaurant's food.
Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said in a statement Saturday,
"Local health department officials have found no violations in inspections of our Kent State restaurant conducted after this incident was first reported, and again in an inspection this morning. We have reopened our restaurant with their full support. We have taken preventative steps that meet or exceed health department requirements, and will continue to assist them in their investigation."
If someone wants to check out Kent State University and Chipotle on Facebook, I bet there's lots of stories to hear.
Antibiotics? How about norovirus?
