Staff report

Chipotle is a unique force in the market of chain restaurants. The company has managed to dissociate itself from the stigma associated with fast food and attract a diverse crowd of loyal, often health conscious, customers. Chipotle’s slogan, “food with integrity,” sums up what the establishment stands for, or maybe want they want consumers to think they stand for: Food that is healthy, food that is dependable and food that is safe. As of recently, this message of theirs has been under fire.

A campaign entitled “Chubby Chipotle” began its rise in the mainstream media in September, and has gained momentum since. The campaign claims Chipotle is the polar opposite of the health image it promotes, and has earned its successes through deception. To be blunt, they think Chipotle is making people fat. It is poking holes and tearing apart the language the company uses to characterize itself and the food.

The campaign has set out to expose the public to a reality that, in my opinion, does not exist. It is important to keep in mind who or what is behind “Chubby Chipotle.” According to a New York Post article, speculators have claimed competitors like McDonald’s or Wendy’s might be the huge corporations to thank for this unsound argument; however, a nonprofit organization called the Center for Consumer Freedom (CFF) is truly responsible. The CFF has also attacked Mothers Against Drunk Driving as well as PETA, to give the organization some context.

“Chipotle pretends to be anti-GMO but has no problem with GMOs being used to sweeten its soda or fed to animals used for food,”  the CFF said in a statement given on its website. “Chipotle pretends to be ‘humane’ but bans farmers from giving their livestock antibiotics as a means of preventing illness.” Both of those allegations are presented to make Chipotle look like it is lying to and deceiving its customers.

The key word in the organization’s assumption is “pretending.” Chipotle is not pretending, in fact it is being overtly honest.

“The meat and dairy products we buy come from animals that are not genetically modified. But it is important to note that most animal feed in the U.S. is genetically modified, which means that the meat and dairy served at Chipotle are likely to come from animals given at least some GMO feed,” according to Chipotle’s website. “Many of the beverages sold in our restaurants contain genetically modified ingredients, including those containing high fructose corn syrup, which is almost always made from GMO corn.”

Chipotle was the first national restaurant chain to willingly and deliberately acknowledge the presence of GMOs in their food. That was in 2013. Fast forward to 2015: Chipotle has made the transition to use only non-GMO ingredients. In regards to any fear that Chipotle’s antibiotic free animals are less healthy than those given antibiotics, rest easily. As stated on Chubby Chipotle’s very own website, “Worry not. As veterinarian Dr. Scott Hurd has put it: ‘It’s all antibiotic free.’ If a farmer uses antibiotics to prevent or treat sickness in an animal, there are federal regulations to ensure that food from that animal is safe.”

“All we can go with is what Chipotle claims to be,” said health teacher Mr. Markey. “As someone with a background in nutrition, I know that not all calories are created equal, however, if you are sitting down to a 1,300 plus calorie meal everyday, there will be a chance of weight gain. In regards to something being labeled ‘healthy’, it is so broad and nonspecific.” We don’t need Chubby Chipotle to tell us what we should and shouldn’t eat, or what we should and shouldn’t believe.

A large portion of West Essex students are fans of the fast food chain. They, too, should not be alarmed by the buzz.“It is possible to order something with a ton of calories without even trying. If someone is really trying to be health conscious, it’s possible to have a low calorie intake and still eat a lot of food,” said senior and regular Chipotle customer Kate Jencarelli. “If people are trying to be healthy they do have options. What’s wrong with rice, chicken and some salsa?”

Simply enough, stick to your conscience. Clearly chips, cheese, and sour cream are not the best for you, but that is not to say chicken, lettuce, corn and vegetables are bad. Competing jealous companies, and people with nothing better to do, will always find something wrong with those who are prospering. It is important to be critical of whatever you read online and come to judgements on your own accord, even if it does require a little extra scrutiny. Chipotle can’t and won’t let its nagging antithesis, Chubby Chipotle, tear it down, so neither should you.