Chipotle Fare Is Not GMO-Free, Purported Class Action Alleges

A California woman has filed a putative class action against Chipotle
Mexican Grill Inc. alleging that, despite advertised claims to the contrary,
the company’s restaurants do not serve food free of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs). Gallagher v. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., No.
15-3952 (N.D. Cal., filed August 26, 2015). The complaint asserts that
although the company advertised in April 2015 that it would remove
GMOs from its food, “Chipotle serves meat products that come from
animals which feed on GMOs, including corn and soy. Chipotle’s tacos
and burritos are also usually served with sour cream and cheese from
dairy farms that feed animals with GMOs.” In addition, Chipotle sells soft
drinks made with GMO corn syrup, the complaint notes.

Colleen Gallagher seeks to represent a California class to obtain
damages and an injunction for alleged violations of the state’s consumer
protection statutes. Chipotle became the first fast-casual chain to disclose
whether its ingredients contained GMOs in June 2013; details appear in
Issue 488 of this Update.

Issue 577