Chipotle sales battered by widening E. coli outbreak

The E Coli cases have been plaguing the restaurant since October.

Though the investigations are still going on to find out which specific food is linked to illness, but CDC epidemiologist, who is leading the investigation revealed in an interview that “probably it isn’t a meat” because numerous people who were infected by food poisoning were vegetarians.

The government investigators added Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania to a list of states that already included California, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Washington.

And the outbreaks could get worse, if you’re concerned about coming down with E. coli.

Chipotle has taken a beating lately thanks to some E. coli outbreaks.

The E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill has now sickened 52 people and led to 20 hospitalizations in nine states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chipotle said in a regulatory filing that its sales could decline further from “further developments, including potential additional announcements from federal and state health authorities”. It said it hired IEH Laboratories in Seattle to help improve its procedures and that it would implement testing of all produce before it is shipped to restaurants.

The types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or persons. Chipotle is forecasting a possible 10 percent loss in sales.

The company also said it might cut down on local food sourcing in the future, as local suppliers might not be able to meet the company’s heightened food safety requirements.

For the final three months of the year, it said it expects sales to be down between 8 to 11 percent at established locations if trends continue.