Topic overview
In brief
- A Minnesota woman, Kristen Behne, was hospitalized with sepsis after eating at Chipotle.
- Her case is linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak associated with contaminated jalapeño peppers.
- Behne is suing Chipotle for over $75,000, citing the company's history of foodborne illness incidents.
Summary
In the United States, a Minnesota woman named Kristen Behne has taken legal action against Chipotle Mexican Grill after suffering severe health complications from a salmonella infection. Behne consumed a chicken burrito bowl at a Chipotle location in Roseville on June 24, 2026. Just three days later, she experienced fainting spells, a high fever reaching 102 degrees, and was subsequently hospitalized with sepsis. After her discharge on June 30, she reported that her recovery has not been complete, indicating ongoing health issues stemming from the infection.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, claims that Behne's illness is part of a larger multistate outbreak linked to contaminated jalapeño peppers served at Chipotle. Genetic testing confirmed that her infection was associated with this outbreak, which has affected over 200 individuals across the country. Public health officials have reported at least 110 cases in Minnesota alone, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noting a total of 345 illnesses across 27 states, including 36 hospitalizations.