More than 300 inquiries linked to illness reported at Powell Chipotle

POWELL – A Chipotle restaurant in Ohio has reopened as officials investigate reports of illnesses linked to the location.

The Delaware General Health District says it can’t confirm anything until lab tests are back. But Traci Whittaker, a spokeswoman for the health district says, as of 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, the district had received 368 inquiries of calls from people reporting illnesses since Sunday, many mentioning they ate at the Chipotle at 9733 Sawmill Parkway, and another 45 following the close of business.

We are currently investigating several possible food-borne illness reports stemming from the Chipotle on Sawmill Parkway. Please follow our specific instructions. You may get a voicemail, but be assured we will call you back. DO NOT E-MAIL PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION TO US. – statement from the Delaware General Health District

The restaurant was closed following reports of customers falling sick after eating there, but Whittaker says the district’s food inspection team inspected the restaurant and “found no reason for the facility to not reopen.”

Health officials in Delaware confirmed Tuesday morning that they were investigating reports of “possible food-borne illness” at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Powell. (Delaware General Health District)

In a statement, Chipotle says it closed the store Monday “out of an abundance of caution” and that it’s cooperating with local health authorities. It said it implemented its food-safety-response protocols, which include replacing the food and a cleaning of the restaurant.

The closure comes as Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. works to recover from a series of food scares that sent sales plunging.

Chipotle’s stock fell 3.3 percent in after-hours trading on Monday after Business Insider first reported the news of the closing.