Chipotle has been in the news lately for a variety of unfortunate reasons. First, there was a norovirus outbreak linked to the chain. That was followed by salmonella, E. coli, more norovirus, and even more E. coli. So why is the burrito giant dealing with so many food safety issues? It's apparently the victim of "food terrorists."

That's what an ... interesting ... report from something called Natural News claims. Why would so-called food terrorists target Chipotle? Because the company firmly opposes genetically modified organisms, of course. The foodborne illnesses are the result of the "biotech industry unleashing bioterrorism attacks." Read this, and have the wool ripped from your eyes:

How do we know? The CDC has already admitted that some of these e.coli outbreaks involve a "rare genetic strain" of e.coli not normally seen in foods. Furthermore, we also know the track record of the biotech industry engaging in the most criminal, dirty, sleazebag tactics imaginable against any person or company that speaks out against GMOs.

The report goes on to defend Dr. Oz, which automatically dings its credibility, and includes a fairly inflammatory sub-headline: "GMO industry routinely resorts to tactics that resemble terrorism or criminal mafias." At the heart of the matter, Natural News claims "biotech industry shills are deliberately contaminating Chipotle's food with strains of E. coli in a malicious attempt to destroy both the reputation and finances of the Chipotle food chain." Special interest groups are not above unsavory tactics to defeat the competition — hello, American Egg Board — but that's a pretty heavy allegation. If true, it would qualify as biological warfare, which is frowned upon by the Geneva Convention.

In an unsurprising development, the Centers for Disease Control declined an Eater request for comment, and Chipotle has not responded. Natural News presents quite a case, but what's more likely the cause of Chipotle's problems is the company's fresh and local approach. While admirable, it does leave the chain more exposed to contaminated ingredients.

Or, is that exactly what the biotech industry wants you to think?