Skip navigation

Chipotle bows to PETA’s demands on chicken suppliers

DENVER Chipotle Mexican Grill has agreed to give preference to suppliers that use what People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals terms “less cruel” forms of slaughtering chickens.

The agreement prompted PETA to withdraw a shareholder resolution to limit the 700-unit chain’s chicken purchasing options to suppliers that use “controlled atmosphere killing," or CAK. In that method of slaughter, the birds’ oxygen is slowly replaced with other gases.

PETA, which owns 65 shares of Chipotle stock, had submitted the resolution in December after reporting that talks with Chipotle executives on slaughter methods had ended in a stalemate. Chipotle said at the time that there were not enough chicken suppliers using CAK to meet the fast-casual chain’s needs.

"We are encouraging our suppliers to investigate CAK and incorporating it into their protocols, and some are considering making that change," Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said. He added that Chipotle had purchased 40 million pounds of meat in 2007 from suppliers that used humane, natural methods to raise their animals.

Chipotle reportedly petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission unsuccessfully to bar PETA’s resolution, claiming it interfered with the chain’s relationships with suppliers.

Speaking of the agreement disclosed Tuesday, Arnold said the company tweaked its policy to be more explicit about its supplier preferences.

The burrito chain has publicized its use of meat and dairy products that are free of antibiotics and hormones. It has also promoted its purchase of pork from suppliers who do not use gestation crates.

Chipotle joins Burger King, Wendy’s, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Popeyes and the Safeway grocery store chain in giving preference to suppliers that use the CAK method, PETA reported.

Hide comments

Comments

  • Allowed HTML tags: <em> <strong> <blockquote> <br> <p>

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Publish