Chipotle L.A. Sickness Probe Expands to Neighboring Pizza Joint

(Bloomberg) -- The investigation into sick employees and customers at a Chipotle in Los Angeles has expanded to an adjacent pizza restaurant, according to health officials.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is looking into illnesses at the PizzaRev location next to the Chipotle, where some of the burrito chain's employees also worked. So far, health officials have received reports of fewer than 40 people, including customers and employees, tied to the Chipotle location that got sick.

“A specific food item or condition has not been implicated,” the agency said. “Both establishments are currently open and have been cooperating with the ongoing investigation.”

The latest outbreak has weighed on Chipotle's shares -- they declined 4.6 percent on Wednesday -- and renewed concerns about the chain's comeback from a 2015 food-safety scandal that has tarnished the company's brand. 

Investors may have been bracing for a more severe outbreak. When Bloomberg reported that fewer than 20 employees or patrons were part of the investigation, Chipotle's shares reversed losses and rose 0.3 percent to $293.26.

To contact the reporter on this story: Craig Giammona in New York at cgiammona@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net, Jonathan Roeder

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