Chipotle starting program to help farmers ensure safety of food

Chipotle has apologized for making customers ill and updated its protocols. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

(Bloomberg) — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., seeking to recover from an E. coli crisis that dragged down sales and profit, will start a program aimed at helping suppliers maintain food-safety standards.

Chipotle is spending as much as $10 million to fund the effort, co-Chief Executive Officer Steve Ells said during a meeting with employees on Monday. The money will be used to help local farmers offset the costs of new tests and food-safety protocols, he said.