Is Chipotle’s Beef Grass-Fed? Examining Their Animal Welfare Standards

Chipotle has become synonymous with fresh, responsibly-raised ingredients But when it comes to their beef, an important question arises – is Chipotle’s beef 100% grass-fed? As a fast casual restaurant gaining popularity for quality ingredients, many consumers are curious about the standards behind Chipotle’s meat. In this article, we’ll take a close look at where Chipotle’s beef comes from and what their animal welfare policies entail.

An Early Commitment to Responsible Sourcing

Long before other major chains, Chipotle established a commitment to sourcing meat from animals raised without antibiotics or added hormones. They focused on finding suppliers that allowed animals to engage in natural behaviors and avoided crowded factory farm environments

Chipotle’s early dedication to sourcing meat raised with integrity earned them accolades from animal welfare advocates In 2011, they became the first national restaurant company to use 100% naturally-raised pork Their chicken has been hormone and antibiotic free since the company started in 1993.

The Majority of Chipotle’s Beef is Not 100% Grass-Fed

Despite their forward-thinking practices, Chipotle stopped short of requiring their beef suppliers to use 100% grass-fed protocols. Their website states that while they encourage grass-fed, most of their beef comes from cows that were “pasture-raised” but also received some grain as a supplement.

While diners often use the terms interchangeably, there are important differences between grass-fed and pasture-raised beef:

• Grass-fed: Cattle eat only grasses and foraged foods their entire lives after weaning. No grains are provided as supplemental feed.

• Pasture-raised: Cattle spend significant time grazing in open pastures instead of feedlots, but are also given grain-based feeds to supplement grazing.

So while Chipotle sources from pasture-raised cattle, most of their beef is technically not 100% grass-fed due to some grain supplementation. However, their standards exceed typical commodity beef in welfare and environmental impact.

Approximately Half of Chipotle’s Beef is Grass-Fed

Here’s an estimate on the breakdown of just how much of their beef is fully grass-fed:

• 50%: Grass-fed. Cattle were raised entirely on open pastures and never given grain.

• 50%: Pasture-raised. Cattle grazed outdoors but received some supplemental grain feed.

So about half of the beef sold at Chipotle locations comes from cows that ate nothing but grass and foraged foods like a pure grass-fed protocol dictates. The other half is pasture-raised with some grain supplementation.

Why Isn’t All of Chipotle’s Beef Grass-Fed?

Rather than make promises they can’t keep, Chipotle aims to work with the best producers available while keeping beef affordable for customers. Sourcing enough grass-fed beef for all 2000+ locations is challenging considering beef’s scale as their #1 purchased meat.

Some factors that make widespread grass-fed beef difficult:

• Supply: Pasture resources limit the volume of grass-fed cattle farmers can raise. Feedlots cram in more cattle.

• Cost: Grass-fed beef costs consumers roughly 1.5 to 2 times more than conventional grain-fed.

• Consistency: Grass-fed cattle have more variation in flavor and fat content season-to-season based on pasture conditions.

Given these obstacles, Chipotle likely sources both grass-fed and pasture-raised to balance supply, cost, and consistency. Their flexibility allows them to work with top-tier farms raising beef humanely and sustainably.

What Else Sets Chipotle’s Beef Apart?

While grass-fed status varies in their beef supply, Chipotle upholds strict standards in other areas:

Antibiotics: Chipotle prohibits routine preventative antibiotics, earning them recognition from advocacy groups. Ill animals receive treatment but don’t enter the food supply.

Added Hormones: All Chipotle’s beef comes from cattle never given artificial growth hormones. This aligns with consumer preference to avoid added hormones.

Outdoor Access: All cattle spend ample time outdoors grazing on pastures instead of confined pens. This promotes natural behavior.

Smaller Scale: Chipotle requires humane harvesting and works with smaller family farms rather than giant industrial feedlots.

While 100% grass-fed beef remains an aspiration, Chipotle provides a step up from typical fast food through their animal welfare standards. Their dedication to sourcing responsibly raised beef since the beginning shows an admirable commitment to continuous improvement.

Should You Choose Grass-Fed When Dining at Chipotle?

When ordering at Chipotle, grass-fed steak, barbacoa, or ground beef does come at a slight upcharge compared to the regular options. Whether the extra cost fits your budget and values is a personal decision.

Keep in mind that even the non-grass-fed beef remains free of hormones and routine antibiotic use. Both options far exceed most fast food chains. If your budget allows, grass-fed provides maximum nutritional benefits and follows the strictest protocols. But you can feel confident that all of Chipotle’s beef is responsibly raised to meaningful standards.

Understanding the Grass-Fed Label

When evaluating grass-fed claims from any restaurant, grocer, or meat producer, here are some tips:

• Look for certified grass-fed labels like American Grassfed Association that audit standards. This verifies marketing claims.

• Beef labeled pasture-raised means cattle grazed outdoors but likely received grain too. It’s not 100% grass-fed but a better alternative to feedlots.

• Don’t assume all organic beef is grass-fed, as organic standards don’t restrict grain feeding. Read labeling carefully.

• Ask questions if labels or marketing seem unclear. Reputable suppliers will happily clarify.

As consumer interest grows, grass-fed beef availability continues expanding. But supply still limits most food sellers from making 100% grass-fed guarantees. At Chipotle and elsewhere, the reality often lies somewhere in the middle when it comes to this top label claim.