In-N-Out Shut Down After Nine People Hospitalized

An In-N-Out location in Livermore, California, was forced to shut down on Wednesday after an entire college softball team fell ill upon eating there. The source or cause of any contamination is unknown at this point, but the West Coast burger chain is investigating to get to the bottom of it. Until then, the In-N-Out location at 1881 N. Livermore Ave. will remain closed until all information is known.

"We recently learned that some members of a large travel group reported feeling sick after dining at our Livermore location," In-N-Out corporate said in a statement on Thursday. "We voluntarily closed the restaurant while we investigate the matter and notified the local health department in accordance with our safety protocols."

Many of the team's players reported feeling symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, a major symptom of the common norovirus, but the initial investigation did not turn up any food safety issues.

"Here at In-N-Out Burger, the health and well-being of our customers and our associates is a top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this closure may cause for our customers and we will re-open our Livermore restaurant once we are certain that there are no issues there," the company added.

An NBC report found that at least one family who got In-N-Out for takeout on Wednesday night felt some ill effects:

"My family did take out from the North Livermore Avenue on Monday night," NBC Bay Area reporter Bob Redell said. "My wife and I had some burgers and fries. Both of us were fine. But our 14-year-old daughter was complaining of cramps and feeling nauseous after her meal. And then was fine a short time later."

The Daily Meal contacted In-N-Out for an update on the matter but did not receive a comment in time for publication.