Minnesota Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Chipotle

Minnesota health officials have linked several Chipotle franchises in the state to a recent outbreak of salmonella.

Some 45 people have fallen ill, with five hospitalized, but the Minnesota Department of Health says eating at the Mexican-themed restaurant is now safe. Officials have identified the possible ingredient and swapped it out, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Infections were mostly limited to South-Eastern Minnesota, including Chipotle franchises in the Minneapolis-St.Paul area. The outbreak could have been much larger, officials say, but taking action early gives them a good chance of catching cases that haven’t developed.

A salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, stomach pains and fever. According to the CDC, some 400,000 cases are reported every year in the US. Around one in four require hospitalization.

[Minnesota Star Tribune]