Chipotle Scores “A” in Chain Reaction III Study on Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals
Commitment to Meat Raised Responsibly Earns Chipotle Top Grade in Leading Antibiotic Study for Three Consecutive Years
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 27, 2017--Chipotle Mexican Grill(NYSE: CMG) has earned an “A” grade in theChain Reaction III Report and Scorecard, a ranking of the country’s largest fast food and fast casual restaurant companies based on their policies for antibiotic use in farm animals. Chipotle has earned “A” grades in each of the three years the study has been conducted.
“We began serving meat from animals raised without antibiotics in 1999 and continue to be a leader in this area today,” saidSteve Ells, founder, chairman and CEO at Chipotle. “Doctors, public health officials and other experts agree that there is a growing risk of antibiotic-resistant infection, and the overuse of antibiotics in meat production is a significant part of that problem. Good animal husbandry reduces the need for antibiotics in livestock and promotes better animal welfare. We have simply chosen to serve meat raised in a way that emphasizes care over the use of chemicals.
“We made that decision simply because we thought it was the right thing to do – the right thing for farmers, for animal welfare, and for human health. While we are pleased to see other restaurant companies following our lead on this issue, this report shows there is still more work to be done across the industry, and we hope that others will make this a priority in the same way that Chipotle has.”
Of the 25 restaurant companies surveyed for the report, only two received “A” grades (including Chipotle), while 11 received “F’s.” Chipotle earned an “A” scoring 97% of the total points possible.
Chipotle began its journey to serve Responsibly Raised®-brand meat, from animals raised in more humane ways and without the use of antibiotics or added hormones, when it started serving pork fromNiman Ranchin 1999. Today, all of the company’s meat comes from animals raised without the routine use of antibiotics.
Antibiotic resistant disease is becoming an increasingly big problem.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) notes that at least 23,000 people die each year from antibiotic resistant infections. One cause of the mounting problem of antibiotic-resistant illness is the routine use of antibiotics in industrial animal agriculture. According to theU.S. Food and Drug Administration, some 70% of all medically important antibiotics sold in the U.S. are intended for animal agriculture, not for the treatment of human illness.
Chain Reaction IIIwas conducted by six of the leading public interest organizations working to curb the routine use of antibiotics in industrial animal agriculture, including theConsumers Union,National Resources Defense Council,Center for Food Safety,Food Animal Concerns Trust, Keep Antibiotics Working, andU.S. PIRG Education Fund.
Scoring criteria forChain Reaction IIIevaluate restaurants offering chicken, beef, turkey and pork. The scorecard awards a total of 100 total points in three key areas: 1) policy regarding antibiotic use; 2) the implementation of antibiotic policies; and 3) transparency. If a company serves only three types of meat or poultry, the maximum possible score is 75 points; with two meats the maximum number of points available is 50 points. Chipotle, which does not serve turkey, earned 73 out of 75 points possible or 97% of the total points available for the company.
The completeChain Reaction III Report and Scorecardis availablehere. Additional information about Chipotle’s ingredients, including meat from animals raised without antibiotics is available atChipotle.com/food-with-integrity.
ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman and CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in an interactive style allowing people to get exactly what they want. Chipotle seeks out extraordinary ingredients that are not only fresh, but that are raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, land, and people who produce them. Chipotle prepares its food using only real, whole ingredients, and is the only national restaurant brand that uses absolutely no added colors, flavors or other industrial additives typically found in fast food. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant inDenverin 1993 and now operates more than 2,300 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.
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Source:Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chris Arnold, 303-222-5912
carnold@chipotle.com
FAQs
Chipotle has earned “A” grades in each of the three years the study has been conducted. “We began serving meat from animals raised without antibiotics in 1999 and continue to be a leader in this area today,” said Steve Ells , founder, chairman and CEO at Chipotle.
How did Chipotle fix the E. coli problem? ›
Chipotle launched an enhanced food safety program, which included DNA-testing ingredients before they're shipped to restaurants, changes to food prep and handling practices, and offering paid sick leave to disincentivize sick employees from working.
Does Chipotle use antibiotics? ›
We source cheese and sour cream from pasture-raised cows that are never administered rBST, and meats from animals that have no added hormones and that do not receive non-therapeutic antibiotics. In 2021, antibiotics were never administered to the animals used for our beef and chicken, and for 87% of our pork.
What was Chipotle in trouble for? ›
The Justice Department today charged the Newport Beach-based Chipotle with two counts of violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by adulterating food while held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce.
What percent of all antibiotics are used on farm animals? ›
80% of all antibiotics used in the United States are fed to farm animals. Antibiotics are commonly fed to farm animals to increase the weight of the animals and thereby the profit. It is also done to compensate for the poor conditions the animals are living in.
How did Chipotle regain customer trust after the E. coli outbreak in 2015? ›
coli outbreaks, Chipotle decided to have a nationwide all staff meeting on February 8, closing all of its stores to share new food safety practices with employees, indi- cating it was ready to rebuild their brand image and regain customers' trust (Whitten, 2016).
How many people have died from the E. coli outbreak at Chipotle? ›
Of these reported cases, five resulted in hospitalization, with two patients developing hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure; no deaths occurred as a result of the outbreak.
How does Chipotle treat their animals? ›
Chipotle believes in Food with Integrity, which means animals should be raised responsibly, humanely without sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and with care in accordance with Chipotle's award-winning animal welfare standards.
Which fast food chains use antibiotics? ›
According to the non-profit U.S. Public Interest Research Group, restaurant chains Burger King, Starbucks, Olive Garden, Panda Express, Little Caesars, Domino's, Sonic, Arby's, Jack in the Box, Dairy Queen, Buffalo Wild Wings and Pizza Hut were all given an “F” for antibiotics in meat.
Was Chipotle sued for E coli outbreak? ›
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will pay $25 million to resolve criminal charges related to the company's involvement in foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018, the Department of Justice announced today.
In October 2006, McDonald's fully divested from Chipotle. This was part of a larger initiative for McDonald's to divest all of its non-core business restaurants — Chipotle, Donatos Pizza, and Boston Market — so that it could focus on the main McDonald's chain.
What is Chipotle being sued for? ›
The now-settled investigation was launched in July 2017 after multiple Chipotle workers alleged the company failed to comply with the city's labor standards. The labor standards office alleged that the company failed to provide premium pay for required schedule changes and maintain records of original work shifts.
What is the Chipotle agriculture controversy? ›
Outspoken members of the ag community accused Chipotle of using farmers as a punching bag to sell burritos, and news outlets covered Chipotle's controversial approach and the self-inflicted public relations challenge the company faced through its critique of and disassociation from industrial agriculture (Barrett, 2014 ...
Does cooking destroy antibiotics in meat? ›
Ordinary cooking procedures for meat, even to "well-done" cannot be relied on to inactivate even the more heat sensitive compounds such as penicillins and tetracyclines. More severe heating as for canning or prolonged cooking with moist heat might inactivate the more sensitive compounds.
What meat has the most antibiotics? ›
While turkeys are given antibiotics more intensively than other livestock in the U.S., the size of the industry is much smaller than beef and pork—making those two the most problematic in terms of antibiotic consumption.
Is Chick-fil-A using antibiotics? ›
From spring, the restaurant is switching from a “No Antibiotics Ever (NAE)” commitment to a “No Antibiotics Important To Human Medicine (NAIHM)” approach. Antibiotics are often used in livestock production to promote growth and protect against diseases.
How much did Chipotle lose from E. coli outbreak? ›
The E. coli or norovirus outbreak at Chipotle restaurants across the country, left hundreds of customers sick, thus, causing the closure of 43 Chipotle restaurants in the states of Washington and Oregon. The incident eroded over 45% of the company's stock value, resulting in a ~$6 billion loss in market cap.
Was Chipotle sued for E. coli outbreak? ›
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will pay $25 million to resolve criminal charges related to the company's involvement in foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018, the Department of Justice announced today.
How do you solve E. coli? ›
Drink plenty of clear liquids, including water, clear sodas and broths, gelatin, and juices. Avoid apple and pear juices, caffeine, and alcohol. Avoid certain foods. Dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods or highly seasoned foods can make symptoms worse.
What caused the Chipotle salmonella outbreak? ›
Apart from sourcing raw materials, the other source of contamination has been the people dealing with the food. Several Chipotle foodborne illness outbreaks have been traced to an ill restaurant staffer working and handling the food.
