Chipotle to give preference to chicken suppliers using humane killing methods
By Joyzelle Davis, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 02:21 p.m., March 13, 2008
Updated 09:13 p.m., March 13, 2008
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Chipotle Mexican Grill and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ended their standoff over a chicken-slaughtering policy.
The Denver-based fast-casual restaurant chain agreed to give preference to suppliers that use what the animal-rights group calls a less cruel killing method.
PETA said Thursday it withdrew a resolution it placed on Chipotle's proxy in light of the announcement. The group was lobbying Chipotle, along with dozens of other restaurants, supermarkets and meat suppliers, to support a technique called controlled-atmosphere killing, which exposes birds to gases that put them to sleep.
"While we wish that Chipotle's customers would stick to the great vegetarian items on the menu, the company should be commended for taking steps to improve the dying conditions for some of the animals," PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich said in a statement.
Chipotle has long been considered at the forefront of promoting animal welfare, avoiding antibiotics and hormones in its meat and not buying from pork suppliers that use gestation crates. Company spokesman Chris Arnold said it was always Chipotle's intention that humane treatment policy encompass slaughter as well, but the company amended its policy to make that more explicit.
The company's policy now says Chipotle will give preference to suppliers who use "the most humane method of slaughter, including emerging technologies" such as controlled-atmosphere killing, he said.
The company earlier this year unsuccessfully petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission to bar PETA's shareholder resolution, arguing that it would interfere with supplier relations and micromanage Chipotle's business.
Experts say there's only one chicken supplier in the country that uses controlled-atmosphere killing, which wouldn't be enough to supply a chain like Chipotle with about 700 stores.
Burger King, Wendy's and Safeway are among the companies who also have agreed to give purchasing preference to suppliers who used controlled-atmosphere killing.
Most chicken suppliers use a method called electric immobilization, in which the birds are run through an electrified water bath before their throats are slit. PETA argues that the process is cruel because, among other things, the chickens may suffer broken bones or still be conscious when their throats are slit.
Chipotle said several of the company's suppliers are looking "very seriously" at the controlled-atmosphere killing method.
davisj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2514
Comments
Posted by Esthere on March 13, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm Gassed Chickens no thanks!
Posted by BroncoRick69 on March 13, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree. Who is really better off here?
Posted by RickyLee on March 13, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I still won't eat their crappy food.
Posted by jhdteacher on March 13, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good for chipotle...one small step toward a more peaceful planet
Posted by Michael on March 13, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would pay more if the chickens were slaughtered onsite and I could pick mine out (like a lobster out of a tank) and watch it have its head cut off. I would pay even more if I could swing the ax.
Posted by redog on March 13, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for Chipotle-I can go back to eating there. People should know where there food comes from and how it's processed before they eat it.
Posted by rezdawg8 on March 13, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If it's good enough for the Jews, it's good enough for the chickens! And yes, I am a Jew...
Posted by MattGuyver_007 on March 13, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't it just FEEL BETTER to say "humane killing". That's what is so selfish about this thought process. It's all for the 'feel good' conversation when in reality the gassing process has been researched and shown to be quite a brutal death for the chickens.
Again, let's authorize more spending to debate such a ridiculous matter when our enemy is trying to cut our heads off with a dull knife. Ugh.
Posted by PJM on March 14, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll never eat there. I'll also never eat anywhere else that tries to appease peta and groups of that nature.
Posted by hdfresh on March 14, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This controlled 'atmosphere killing' sounds expensive. It'll probably raise the price on their burritos as well.
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