Cutely deemed "Takeout Thursday", I get to sit back and relax each Friday Eve as my husband and I order in dinner. Typically a call is placed to a local Sushi Restaurant, but last week we decided to SPICE things up (literally and figuratively) by visiting Chipotle.
In retrospect, such a decision was probably not based on a cilantro craving, but rather on a subconscious move made because of the plethora of news reports surrounding the restaurant chain. For the past couple of weeks, Chipotle has headlined because of their plan to
ban genetically modified ingredients from their menu. As with all controversial issues, there are supporters, "haters" and those that impartially will continue to enjoy their burritos ;)
Those that support the ban favor simple and natural ingredients when preparing / eating food. Since
genetic modification alters the genetic makeup of cells and allows genes to move across species, new combinations of genes and traits occur that would not naturally do so without GE (genetic engineering.) In addition, these individuals are weary that GMO's might cause cancer in humans as it had in the rats that were lab tested. On the other hand, there are individuals who feel as though Chipotle's ban is unwarranted. This is because there is no solid, current data that supports the long term safety of GMO's and because
the rat report may not have been as groundbreaking as initially proclaimed!
As an advocate for clean eating, as well as a lover of simple, natural ingredients, I have to raise my glass and cheers Chipotle for their decision to ban GMO's from their menu. As a realist, though, I know that this controversial issue is not limited to Chipotle and that additional research must be done to fully understand the pervasiveness (and possible severity) of GMO's.
In the meantime, however, I look forward to more Thursday's at Chipotle!
((Photo Source: http://nfccertification.com/extra-view/gmo-guard/))