Multiple Boston College Basketball Players Suffering from E. Coli

Boston College said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has been notified, and is working to determine if there is a link to the ongoing national outbreak of e-coli.

Eight Boston College men’s basketball players have contracted E. coli after eating at a local Chipotle restaurant, according to SB Nation’s BC Interruption blog, citing a Boston College coach with the information.

Estimates indicate that more than 20 Boston College students could be infected.

We can confirm there have been reports of gastrointestinal illness involving Boston College students. Locally sourced produce accounts for a “relatively small percentage” of the produce the chain uses, said Chris Arnold, a Chipotle spokesman.

Chipotle’s stock fell 6 per cent to $518 in after-hours trading, after closing down 1.7 per cent Monday.

The chain known for touting its quality ingredients said Friday it expects sales to drop between 8 percent and 11 percent at established locations for the fourth quarter if current trends continue.

The FDA still has not determined which food item at Chipotle might be making people sick.

In response to the alleged Chipotle-linked outbreaks, affecting more than 50 people in nine states (not including the recent news in Boston), Chipotle “is aggressively taking actions to implement industry leading food safety and food handling practices in all of its restaurants and throughout its supply chain”, according to a statement on its website most recently updated on December 5.

Chipotle has said it planned to tighten its food standards.