Boston College students sick, Chipotle blames Norovirus

The company said it thinks the illnesses are an isolated incident of norovirus and not linked to the nationwide outbreak that sickened at least 52 people in nine states.

“All of the evidence we have points in that direction”, said Chris Arnold, a Chipotle spokesman.

According to Reuters, at least 30 people were sickened after eating at a Chipotle in Boston, including most of the men’s Boston College basketball team.

BOSTON (AP) – Boston College says the number of students reporting gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at a Chipotle has climbed to 80. The health department said in a statement that initial testing conducted by the State Public Health had shown the presence of norovirus.

On Tuesday, Chipotle said it would not shutter any other outlets in the Boston area.

In case the test results do reveal that there was no E. coli outbreak, it would be reassuring in some manner for Chipotle, which has been trying to reassure its consumers over the course of the past few weeks.

Boston College said all the students had been tested for both E. coli and the norovirus, but the test results would not be available until late on Tuesday or Wednesday.

That outbreak, the company’s third food safety incident since August, has raised concern about potential damage to the fast-growing brand that has won a loyal following for its food made with fresh produce, meats raised without antibiotics and ingredients that are free of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

The most recent illness started November 13. An employee also worked while showing signs of illness, prompting the closure amid the outbreak. “That said, we are in the process of implementing an enhanced food safety system nationwide that will make us the industry leader in food safety”.

That would mark the first time the sales figure has declined since Chipotle went public in 2006. All Boston College students ate at the same restaurant during the weekend.

Chipotle’s shares fell as much as 5.4 percent in early trading on Tuesday, but has since recovered some of their losses to trade down 1.8 percent at US$542 in the afternoon session.