Chipotle To Pay $25M To Settle Foodborne Illness Related Criminal Charges
The California-based restaurant, which saw more than 1,100 patrons fall ill from the norovirus outbreak, were charged with two criminal counts after they violated federal food guidelines “by adulterating food while held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce.”
Los Angeles-based US Attorney Nick Hanna stated, “Chipotle failed to ensure that its employees both understood and complied with its food safety protocols, resulting in hundreds of customers across the country getting sick.”
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After confirming the deal, the eatery said they’re now “committed to continue enhancing its already robust food safety policies, practices, and procedures.”
Additionally, CEO and company chairman Brian Niccol, stated, “This settlement represents an acknowledgment of how seriously Chipotle takes food safety every day and is an opportunity to definitively turn the page on past events.”