Will Chipotle Have Another Outbreak? Food Safety Advocates Plan Protest Amid Concerns

Community advocates have planned to protest outside two Chipotle restaurants in California over food safety concerns, according to a news release. The demonstrators have alleged food safety problems and other violations at Taylor Farms, one of the chain’s suppliers.

In the wake of multiple E. coli outbreaks that have wreaked havoc on Chipotle’s brand image, safety advocates and workers have claimed that the Taylor Farms operation in Tracy, California, which supplies tomatoes to some Chipotle franchisees, has recalled more than 150,000 food items in recent months and has been cited for more than 40 health and safety violations.

Workers for Taylor Farms have said, according to the news release, that they have seen snails, worms and mold on products, as well as bird feces near food production lines. Workers also alleged that Chipotle skipped a required food safety check for salmonella because of time constraints. The protests are slated to take place at noon Thursday PDT at Chipotle restaurants in Sacramento and Manteca, California.

In December, Taylor Farms recalled salad kits, vegetable trays and other prepared foods sold at massive chains including including Walmart, Costco, 7-Eleven and Target due to E. coli. In the past, immigrant Taylor Farm workers have reportedly protested what they viewed as health hazards, and demanded worker safety measures like company-paid medical attention and chemical detection systems. The protest came shortly after Taylor Farms workers saw their employer fail to properly evacuate workers during a chemical spill.