Chipotle just made a massive overhaul to its menu, but you might not taste the difference in your next burrito. The New York Times reports that the chain has eliminated genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, from its ingredients.
The chain is the first of its size to completely ban GMOs, and it's no surprise. The chain started labeling which ingredients contained GMOs back in 2013. They only use 68 ingredients in their entire menu, including seasonings like salt and pepper, and most weren't genetically modified anyway. The company used genetically modified corn in its tortillas, and GMO soy in its tortillas and cooking oil.
Chipotle posted a long essay about the move on its website. In some form or another, GMOs have been around since agriculture began, and many modern varieties have been created in labs to ward off insects and resist crop-killing chemicals. GMOs are still hotly debated, with experts on both sides debating their safety and environmental impact, though there has been no concrete proof that they are harmful to humans.
"Chipotle is really showing that there's a better way to do fast food," co-CEO Steve Ells told CNNMoney. "They say these ingredients are safe, but I think we all know we'd rather have food that doesn't contain them.''
The restaurant noted that nearly all animal feed in America is genetically modified, which means the meat and dairy products still rely on GMOs. Plus, many of the beverages on sale will still contain GMO ingredients.
The move is a big win for anti-GMO activists, but there's a chance it could cause a little annoyance at the counter. Demand can get high for non-GMO ingredients, which can cause supply shortages. Chipotle ran out of carnitas from a supplier recently, but Ellis told the Times that the company is working directly with farmers to avoid this in the future. And your wallet won't suffer from the change, Ellis insists, since beef, not any veggie, is the most costly ingredient on the menu.