Chipotle: Transition to Non-GMO Ingredients Complete

The Denver-based chain wrote on its website that it is "G-M-Over It."

Chipotle says it has completed phasing out genetically modified ingredients from its food.

The Denver-based chain had already been using mostly non-GMO ingredients, but said in late 2013 it was working on transitioning to a tortilla that did not use them. The restaurant chain confirmed to NBC Owned Televisions Stations that the phase-out was completed, and posted on its website that it is "G-M-Over It."

Most of the country's corn and soybean crop is genetically modified to have certain traits like resistance to plant diseases.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration's food safety center has said the agency found no basis that GMOs pose any different safety concerns than foods developed by traditional plant breeding.

Chipotle's move comes amid growing calls from food safety advocacy groups and some consumers to require manufacturers to label all genetically engineered foods and any food products that contain genetically engineered ingredients. The movement has sparked proposed labeling requirements on the state and federal level. Increased consumer interest in ingredients has prompted other fast-food chains, including McDonald's, to make menu changes in recent months.

Chipotle Co-CEO Steve Ells has said the company felt it was best not to use GMOs given the "lack of consensus" about their effects.

The completion of the phase-out was first reported by The New York Times.

NBC Owned Television Stations' Khorri Atkinson contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us