E. coli outbreak update –Costco illness linked to celery, Chipotle closes Boston location after college students get sick

Mexican-inspired eatery Chipotle and wholesale warehouse Costco are looking at their food safety practices this week after numerous customers contracted E. coli.

Hundreds of people in northeastern U.S. cities reported E. Coli-related symptoms, including 80 Boston College students began feeling symptoms after eating at a nearby Chipotle. Upon closing the restaurant, Boston health officials found chicken being stored at too low a temperature and at least one employee who showed signs of sickness.

While Center for Disease Control officials still don't know what caused the outbreak, it may be related to separate outbreaks that forced the closure of 43 restaurants in Washington and Oregon last month. Chipotle consumers in nearly a dozen states - including Illinois and Pennsylvania - have reported E. coli-related symptoms.

E. coli usually begins to affect the body within three-to-four days of consumptions, according to the CDC. Symptoms of vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and sever stomach cramps can last up to a week, but can become life threatening if not treated correctly.

"This was a very unfortunate incident and I'm deeply sorry that this happened, but the procedures we're putting in place today are so above industry norms that we are going to be the safest place to eat," CEO Steve Ells said in an interview on NBC's "Today" show. He added, "We're doing a lot to rectify this and to make sure this doesn't happen again."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a similar outbreak in Costco stores across western states, along with infections in Missouri and Virginia. Five people were hospitalized last month and two reported kidney failure.

"The epidemiologic evidence available to investigators at this time suggests that rotisserie chicken salad purchased from Costco stores is a likely source of this outbreak. This salad is currently not in production," read a Dec. 8 report from the FDA.

Taylor Farms Pacific Inc., who delivers celery products to Costco stores on the West Coast, recalled a laundry list of products after the Montana Department of Health found traces of E. coli in their products. Tests performed this week couldn't confirm the results.