Amidst the growing controversy regarding the norovirus epidemic surrounding Chipotle Mexican Grill, a new lawsuit filed against the restaurant chain claims that it tried to cover up the outbreak when it first began. The latest lawsuit was filed on behalf of the students who fell ill after eating at a Chipotle branch in Simi Valley, California, in August last year.
According to the complainants, not only did the restaurant chain fail to take immediate action regarding the issue, but it also tried to conceal it, Fox11 Online reported. As detailed in the lawsuit, the kitchen manager of the California restaurant reported for work on Aug. 18, 2015 even though he was already experiencing symptoms of the gastrointestinal disease.
Despite the illness, the manager still kept on working and even handled food served to customers. Then, on Aug. 20, the kitchen manager was diagnosed with norovirus.
On the same day, the restaurant initiated a procedure dubbed as Norwalk Protocol, which involves closing down the restaurant when two customers complain about getting sick because of the food. But, even though the protocol was initiated, the lawsuit claimed that Chipotle did not coordinate with health officials to report the matter. Aside from this, the plaintiffs said that the restaurant tried to hide the evidence of the outbreak by throwing away its supplies and getting a replacement staff.
"Chipotle chose instead to try and conceal all evidence of the outbreak by disposing of all food items, bleaching all cooking and food handling surfaces and replacing its sick employees with replacement employees from other restaurants before notifying county health officials of the outbreak," the complainants said according to NBC.
Chipotle, however, has not yet released a statement to address the latest lawsuit it is currently facing. But, the restaurant chain maintained that it took the necessary steps to respond to the outbreak and it immediately informed the officials of California's Ventura County regarding the issue.
It is not yet clear how much the plaintiffs are asking for from the restaurant chain in the lawsuit. But, according to the Consumerist, the lawsuit is seeking for a trial by jury.
