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Chipotle CEO issues apology on national TV

Chipotle's Steve Ells apologized on NBC's "Today" show to patrons who reported getting ill after eating at his restaurants.

December 10, 2015

Chipotle CEO Steve Ells apologized on NBC's "Today" show to the patrons who got sick after eatingat his restaurants. He promised the chain’s new food safety practiceswould prevent such outbreaks in the future.

"This was a very unfortunate incident and I'm deeply sorry 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," Ells said during the interview.

More than 120 people in the northeastern U.S.reported symptoms.

Ells said he believes the chain can recover from the damage done to its reputation and that the new food safety procedures being set in place will put the brand 10 to 15 years ahead of industry standards.

"We're doing a lot to rectify this and to make sure this doesn't happen again," he said.