Responses to Chipotle advertising

David, Dawn and Joe:

Your attempt to be funny with billboards that insinuate that today's foods are full of antibiotics is no laughing matter. It is wrong. You insinuate that all milk and protein contain antibiotics when you know that is not the truth. There are tough standards and testing in place so that milk and protein that enter the food chain do not contain residual antibiotic substances. Food today is more safe and wholesome than at any time in human history.

Antibiotics are used to improve animal health, provide for the welfare of sick animals and keep them from getting harmful bacteria in the first place. Animals are not being pumped full of drugs for the fun of it. Antibiotics are a matter of good animal welfare. Have you seen a sick animal that was refused antibiotic treatment because misguided marketing measures forbid proper treatment? I'm sure if consumers saw a sick animal, they wouldn't want to eat food produced from that animal.

Sure, that sick animal gets pawned off on someone else to deal with and doesn't remain in the Chipotle food chain. But what happens when your scare tactics finally result in consumer groups banning all use of antibiotics in protein production? What are we going to do about sick animals then?

Your food and atmosphere were pleasant and enjoyable, and there was no problem getting folks in the door of any of the many restaurants here in the Kansas City metro area — including myself many times. So why is it necessary to scare people into your doors today with half truths and downright lies?

If this were a just society, you should be held accountable for damaging the good name of today’s producers and needlessly scare-mongering consumers for the sake of profits.

I strongly urge you to stop your antibiotic campaign. And I will join other producers to tell the truth about what you are doing to them.

Furthermore, I will take my approximately $7.85 I spent at your store once a week for the last several years and spend it elsewhere, confident that I am eating food produced in a healthy, sustainable manner by farmers who care enough about the welfare of their animals to provide proper care.

Unlike the vegetarian antibiotic activist who pressured you into this type of labeling and never ate your food in the first place, I will gladly come back to enjoy a big burrito when you finally stop this misguided marketing.

Best regards,

Jason Gerke
Kansas City, MO

Your recent billboards, "Did you want antibiotics with your lunch? We didn't think so." are a tasteless, misleading message! During my 50 years in the livestock and meat industry, I have found that livestock producers are more responsible than animal activists give them credit for, and antibiotics are used to treat illness the same as for humans. Livestock producers are great stewards of the land, the environment and the products they produce.

Activists do none of these things, and your billboard is supporting an unjust cause and raises questions in consumers' minds that are unfair to these industry stewards.

My children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren like your restaurants, along with the rest of my family — but their attitude could change quickly.

TEAR DOWN YOUR BILLBOARDS!

John Story

Chipotle Mexican Grill should be sued for slander since antibiotics in
meat is considered an adulterant and, if found in meat, can lead to
significant monetary fines for the livestock producer.

Paul Walker
Livestock Extension Agent.