Chipotle Fined $25 Million in Largest-Ever Food Safety Case

Chipotle “will pay $25 million to resolve criminal charges” resulting from a foodborne illness outbreak that sickened more than 1,100 people.

The $25 million fine is “the largest ever in a food safety case”.

Chipotle’s policy allowing “employees who were sick or recently had been sick” to continue working is said to have caused outbreaks of norovirus. “Norovirus can cause severe illness, including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain”, and can easily be transmitted by food workers.

Employees were also reported to face “pressure to work while sick”, according to the criminal charges.

In addition to the record fine, Chipotle has agreed “to develop and follow an improved, comprehensive food safety compliance program.”