A Powell, Ohio-based Chipotle Mexican Grill is thought to be responsible for about 700 cases of unidentified foodborne illness, and now the food chain faces its second lawsuit over the potential outbreak, according to Dayton Daily News.
The Delaware County General Health District conducted more than 500 interviews of individuals reporting symptoms of nauseous, diarrhea and fever after consuming Chipotle food. Health officials also analyzed several stool samples since the foodborne illness outbreak reported Aug. 2.
However the cause of the outbreak is still under investigation. Tests for Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli and norovirus came back negative. Leftover food from the restaurant is still subject to testing, Traci Whittaker, spokesperson for the health district, told Dayton Daily News.
Two lawsuits have been filed against Chipotle Mexican Grill on behalf of individuals sickened in the potential outbreak. One of the plaintiffs, Clayton Jones, still receives medical treatment after eating Chipotle's food July 27.
"This is the first of many lawsuits we will be filing on behalf of local residents who were sickened by contaminated Chipotle food," Mr. Jones' attorney Ron Simon told Dayton Daily News. "We have handled hundreds of claims against Chipotle as this is Chipotle’s seventh food poisoning outbreak in the last three years. These lawsuits will force Chipotle to change its ways and make its food safer for everyone not just in Powell, Ohio, but across the United States."
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