Chipotle Reinforces its “Responsibly Sourced” Pledge by Removing Pork from Menu

15 Jan 2014 --- Chipotle Mexican Grill has temporarily removed pork from the menu at its American restaurants as part of its strict pledge that it wishes to be a purveyor of responsible food. The company made the decision when it discovered that an unnamed supplier had reportedly violated its animal welfare policies.

The company has spent many years claiming all of its pork has been sourced sustainably and it switched from conventionally raised pork to free range back in 1999.

The move means that one of the burrito chain’s key dishes, carnitas, is off the menu in at least one third (around 600 stores) of its more than 1,700 restaurants.

“Without this pork, we cannot get enough pork that meets our Responsibly Raised standard for all our restaurants, and we will not be able to serve carnitas in some locations,” Chipotle said in a statement.

The company has not revealed the extent or exact nature of the welfare violations and it is unable to say how long pork will be off the menu. The company has repeatedly stated however that it has strict animal welfare expectations for its suppliers and does not allow them to use antibiotics.

Carnitas makes up just 7% of entrée orders at the chain, with chicken being far the most popular protein ordered by customers, the chain has stated.