Chipotle will contest suit over GMO claims

The ‘fast casual’ chain touted in April that it was totally removing genetically modified organisms from its food.

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Chipotle’s PR push trumpeting that it had removed all foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from its menu may be coming back to bite the “fast casual” dining chain.

In April, the company made the big announcement that it would be the first national restaurant chain to remove GMOs from its food, and it got coverage in USA Today and many other publications as a result.

“Though many countries have already restricted or banned the use of GMO crops, it’s clear that a lot of research is still needed. … While that debate continues, we decided to move on non-GMO ingredients,” CEO Steve Ells said then.

Now, the company is facing a lawsuit from a California woman who says those claims were false. The plaintiff, Colleen Gallagher, says Chipotle’s food “has never been at any time free of GMOs,” according to a Reuters report.

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