Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 10/8/15

Chipotle Mexican Grill is summarily dismissing the latest claims by a consumer rights group that the chain’s food products contain hormones, which is contrary to what the Center for Consumer Freedom says Chipotle tells its customers.

The organization this week ran its fourth full-page newspaper ad with the theme “Estrogen in every bite” when it comes to Chipotle’s menu items, including the tofu used to make its Sofritas burritos and in its beans. The latest ad appeared in The New York Post and claims that the tofu and beans chipotle uses contain more hormones than in beef.

A spokesman for the Denver-based chain dismissed the claims, telling Meatingplace in an email that “Just as it has in its previous efforts to smear us, the Center for Consumer Freedom is mischaracterizing our positions on issues. Many foods naturally have hormones, and that’s fine. Our objection is to the use of added hormones to stimulate milk production or growth in cattle, and our protocols preclude the use of added hormones for those purposes.”

Chipotle Communications Director Chris Arnold added that “Fundamentally, the attack from the Center is patently ridiculous and is being orchestrated on behalf of anonymous donors. We think consumers are smart enough to see this effort for what it is – a hatchet job.”

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