E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle expands

NEW YORK (AP) — An outbreak of E. coli linked to Chipotle has expanded to nine states, with a total of 52 reported illnesses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today seven additional people were sickened, including in three more states – Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The most recent illness started Nov. 13, it said.

The majority of the illnesses have been in Oregon and Washington, where cases were initially reported at the end of October. Additional cases were later reported in California, Minnesota, New York and Ohio.

The CDC had said in late November that additional cases could be reported for illnesses that started after Oct. 31. Today, it said illnesses that started after Nov. 11 may not be reported yet.

Of the 52 people infected, the CDC says 47 reported eating at a Chipotle restaurant the week before the illness started. The agency has not yet determined the ingredient that made people sick.

Earlier today, Chipotle said it was tightening its food-safety standards.

The Denver-based chain known for touting the quality of its ingredients said it hired IEH Laboratories in Seattle to help improve its procedures. It said it will implement testing of all produce before it is shipped to restaurants and enhance employee training for food safety and handling.