An outbreak that affected 52 people in nice states was linked to Chipotle restaurants. The patients were diagnosed with some norovirus and Chipotle reported that it is not related to E. coli outbreak. The Chipotle outbreak was caused by an E. coli, but a very rare form called O26. The report from the United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) states that three Oklahoma patients had food at the same restaurant, and two patients from North Dakota and Kansas consumed food at the same outlet.

Till now, 53 people have fallen sick and most of them are associated with the outbreak that occurred in the Pacific Northwest in October 2015. The outbreak led to temporary shutdown of several outlets. Since, there is no proof that these cases are associated with the previous STEC 026 cases; it is being investigated as a separate case, according to the CDC.

The CDC further revealed that food borne infections affect approximately 48 million people per annum. Chipotle is currently under the implementation phase of its new comprehensive reassessed protocols, said the chain’s spokesman, Chris Arnold, on December 28, 2015. He added that the company is enhancing its ingredient testing procedures and also workers’ food safety training. “I will say though, that we can assure you today that there is no E. coli in Chipotle”, said Steve Ells, Founder and Co-CEO.