Clover Shuts Down In Response To Possible Ties to Salmonella Outbreak

UPDATED: July 15, 2013, at 8:46 p.m.

Health-conscious fast-food chain Clover indefinitely closed its operations, including its restaurant in Harvard Square, this weekend after learning that some people with confirmed cases of salmonella had eaten at Clover in the days prior to their illness.

“We don’t want even the chance [of] creating illness, so we thought it best to close our operations until we know more,” Clover founder and CEO Ayr Muir wrote in a blog post on the company’s website.

Twelve recent cases of Salmonella have been confirmed in the state, according to Anne Roach, media relations manager for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Roach wrote in an emailed statement that the MDPH “is working cooperatively with the City of Cambridge and other municipalities to investigate and identify” the source of the outbreak. Muir wrote on the website that the last known case was from June 27.

After learning late Friday night of the outbreak’s possible connection to Clover, Muir wrote on Saturday that his management team is now “scouring every surface of every operation” and that the company is examining its suppliers and ingredients. He added that “all appropriate" employees are being tested for salmonella.

“Right now I really don’t know much,” Muir wrote. “I’ve asked the state to share any details with us as their investigation proceeds. We’ll keep you updated. We’re going to be extra careful and we’re not opening any location until we learn more.”

Muir could not be reached for comment.

—Staff writer Madeline R. Conway can be reached at mconway@college.harvard.edu. Follow her on Twitter @MadelineRConway.

—Check TheCrimson.com for updates.