In the states of Washington and Oregon, cbsnews.com reported 43 Chipotle restaurants were closed due to people testing positive to E. coli with at least a dozen people hospitalized.
Another strand of E. coli infected five people at a Chipotle in Seattle, Washington, in July with 64 cases of salmonella also being linked to two restaurants in Minnesota in August, according to cbsnews.com.
“I think it’s disappointing because if you advertise to be GMO (genetic modified organisms) I would expect their vegetables and meat to be clean,” junior Sarah Trippy said.
CBSnews.com reported that strands of this bacteria have been found in fresh produce such as onions, cilantro, lettuce and spices.
“Obviously [Chipotle] is not reliable so I would want the manufactures checked more effectively,” said sophomore Sal Galindo.
In southern California, 80 customers and 18 employees got sick and tested positive for norovirus in August. Norovirus is a very contagious stomach virus passed by an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
Janet Anderberg, the Washington State Department of Health Food Safety specialist, states that a broader investigation should take place at the federal level.
“I don’t trust restaurants, there’s always a possibility of contamination of foods by how they manufacture,” Trippy said.