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Chef Mario Batali accused of sexual harassment

'The Chew' co-host is now facing allegations.
(Photo: Getty Images)

Chef Mario Batali has been accused of habitually sexually harassing and inappropriately touching women as he ruled his food empire.

Multiple anonymous women alleged in a story by online food-trade publication Eater New York that Batali had groped their breasts or buttocks, amid other allegations.

Batali is stepping down from his company and TV show for an indefinite period.

Without addressing the specific allegations, Batali is quoted as saying that they "match up" with his past behavior, acknowledging "failures" and pledging to try to "regain" the "respect and trust" of his fans, family, business partners and employees.

“I apologize to the people I have mistreated and hurt," Batali told Eater NY in a statement. "Although the identities of most of the individuals mentioned in these stories have not been revealed to me, much of the behavior described does, in fact, match up with ways I have acted. That behavior was wrong and there are no excuses. I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family."

He told Eater NY that he would step aside from day-to-day operations at Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group, which services about two dozen restaurants owned by Batali, Joe Bastianich and others.

Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group representatives and Batali were not immediately available to comment Monday morning.

ABC confirmed to USA TODAY that it had temporarily removed Batali from his daytime show, "The Chew."

“We have asked Mario Batali to step away from 'The Chew' while we review the allegations that have just recently come to our attention," ABC said in a statement. "ABC takes matters like this very seriously as we are committed to a safe work environment. While we are unaware of any type of inappropriate behavior involving him and anyone affiliated with the show, we will swiftly address any alleged violations of our standards of conduct.”

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