Chipotle restaurants will close for lunch nationwide on Monday. A meeting will be held within employees as the chain focuses on food safety in light of multiple food poisoning outbreaks.
The Consumer Watchdog is digging through South Florida Chipotle restaurant inspection reports to see what is bringing inspectors back time and time again.
We looked at locations from Vero Beach to Boca Raton. Some kitchens have caught the attention of state inspectors and our dirty dining team.
"Unfortunately from looking at the reports it took quite a long time for the problems to be corrected," explained Fred Stein of Safe Food Connection. "What the restaurant should do is correct those violations immediately. That's to their benefit and the benefit of the public."
Chipotle says it is focusing on making its food safer than ever.
"Over the last few months, we have been implementing an enhanced food safety plan that will establish Chipotle as an industry leader in food safety," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and CEO of Chipotle.
The restaurant will use high resolution DNA based testing on some ingredients before they are sent to the restaurants. Food prep will also change. Items like lettuce, tomatoes and cheese will now be shredded or cut in a central kitchen.
Friday on NewsChannel 5 at 11 -- Consumer Watchdog Jenn Strathman is revealing what inspectors found in South Florida Chipotle restaurants, and why complaints have dramatically increased here since the outbreak.
