January 6, 2016 — Government officials have opened a criminal investigation into an outbreak of Norovirus at a Chipotle restaurant in Simi Valley, California.
Chipotle reported the investigation in a securities filling. In December, the company received a Grand Jury Subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California in conjunction with the FDA.
The company has been asked to produce a broad range of documents in connection with the outbreak. Chipotle said it intends to fully cooperate with the investigation, calling the norovirus outbreak “isolated.” However, there were at least five major food poisoning outbreaks last year, including another norovirus in December that sickened about 120 students at Boston College.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is currently investigating two separate E. coli outbreaks. One sickened 53 people in nine states and began in October. The other sickened five people in three states and began in November. An outbreak of Salmonella linked to tomatoes also occurred in Minnesota, sickening 64 people who ate at Chipotle between August and September 2015.
The outbreaks have tarnished Chipotle’s reputation as a healthy fast food restaurant and same-store sales plunged 30% in December. The company has apologized to customers in dozens of full-page newspaper ads, vowing to improve food safety.
Do I have a Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Chipotle induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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