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Chipotle Mexican Grill reported on Tuesday that it had removed jalapeño peppers from some of its restaurants, after determining that they could be linked to a salmonella outbreak that is already being investigated by public health authorities.
In a brief statement, Chipotle maintained that the “health and safety of our customers and employees is our top priority” and that it was aware that authorities are investigating the origin of a salmonella outbreak affecting several food service retailers.
The company added that it removed the jalapeños as a precaution and that it “replaced them with product from other suppliers.” It did not specify how many of its restaurants were affected or where the previous peppers had originated.
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The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed on Tuesday that it is already investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to several Mexican-style fast-food restaurants, and that jalapeños are the suspected source. Authorities identified 110 cases in the state. Chipotle accounted for the majority of the restaurants where they were able to contact affected consumers for an interview—those who ate at the chain between mid-June and mid-July—but not all.
“Based on all the evidence so far, the food that made people sick was also served at other restaurants,” said Carlota Medus, lead epidemiologist at the MDH’s Foodborne Diseases Unit, in a statement.
She added that Chipotle has cooperated throughout the investigation and that, given the measures the company has implemented, her department is not concerned about the chain at this time. Even so, she indicated that “it is too early for us to know if the outbreak is continuing” and that it is possible that contaminated food is being served in other places.
The Minnesota Department of Health noted that other states are contributing to the investigation, without providing further details. And at the federal level, the MDH added that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting the traceback investigation, which includes, among other products, jalapeño peppers.
As of Tuesday, the FDA had not responded to a request for additional information from The Associated Press.
Shares of California-based Chipotle Mexican Grill plummeted more than 9% in afternoon trading.
[Publicidad]