CDC reports more recent outbreak of E. coli cases

Chipotle voluntarily closed down 43 of its locations in Washington and the Portland area as a precaution after an E. coli outbreak linked to six of its restaurants in the two states has sickened almost two dozen people. It said it will enhance employee training for food safety and handling. All of them reported eating at the Mexican grill chain in the week before coming down with the illness in November.

For the larger outbreak linked to Chipotle, the most recent case had been on November 10.

Five people have been infected with a different, rare E. coli strain, health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Monday it is investigating another recent E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle. The company now expects sales to fall as much as 11% in the fourth quarter as the illnesses bring attention to the company’s food-safety struggles. The new procedures will include testing of all produce before they are shipped to restaurants, and testing to ensure quality throughout shelf life.

About 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness each year, according to the CDC. Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells has told The Associated Press he doesn’t think the company will ever know for sure the exact ingredient that was responsible, but that he believes it was bacteria in fresh food like tomatoes or cilantro. “It’s the worst thing that can happen”, Ells said.