By Carmine Fusaro
(Opinion)
Before Coronavirus started to take a hit on many businesses, Chipotle was already in trouble, agreeing to pay a $25 million criminal settlement related to outbreaks of Norovirus among people who ate in its restaurants, according to many media reports. Now, Chipotle really has to earn people’s trust back. Nobody wants tainted food when they get off work, rather they want to enjoy fresh food that’s made carefully.
Over 1,100 people in multiple states got sick in the period from 2015 to 2018, said many news reports. Federal prosecutors won’t let this slide by being quiet when it concerns the public's health.
Norovirus causes diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. It is very contagious and spread by direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, and touching contaminated surfaces, then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its website.
The settlement allows Chipotle to avoid prosecution as the company has agreed to improve its food safety program, reports say.
Still, Chipotle customers might feel they're taking a bold risk, digesting the restaurant's temperamental servings, given the reportedly poor safety practices in the past.
A well worn quote, “None the wiser" seems to apply here because you can't fool peoples' stomachs.