STEC O157:H7 — multi-matrix (Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2015)
First reported: 2015-10-19 · Data as of: 2016-02-29
Buyer guidance for multi-matrix (likely produce) from multiple
What to do
- Outbreak closed in February 2016.
- Standard food-safety practices apply.
What we don't know yet: The specific ingredient(s) responsible for both outbreak strains remains undisclosed in the public FDA EA.
Summary
Multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. Two outbreak strains were identified, suggesting two separate contamination events. Source investigation did not identify a single ingredient or supplier — the multi-matrix, multi-supplier structure of Chipotle's supply chain made source identification exceptionally difficult.
Traceback chain
FDA traceback investigation. Honest gap nodes indicate steps where the public investigation has not yet disclosed operator names.
Known gaps: multiple ingredients from multiple suppliers; no single source identified