BaconGate©...Chipotle customers "unwittingly ate bacon" (pintos cooked with "a small amount")

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Chipotle has always advised vegetarian and vegan customers to avoid pinto beans on its website. The beans are cooked with "a small amount of bacon," unlike the Mexican chain's black beans, which are vegan. But in-store menus do not indicate the porkiness of the pinto, and Chipotle's burrito assemblers are instructed to inform customers of the bacon inclusion only if they order a burrito without other meat.

This policy meant that at least one regular Chipotle eater, Maxim senior editor Seth Porges, unwittingly ate lots of bacon over the past several years. Porges does not eat pork, as he said in a letter to Chipotle, "for religious and cultural reasons," and so was shocked to discover, after years of eating Chipotle's pinto beans, that it contained bacon. Consumerist reports that Porges tweeted about the shocking discovery, and also emailed Chipotle CEO Steve Ells, to complain. Ells responded immediately. He told Porges that the chain would change its menu to include a mention of the bacon in its pinto beans.

The timeframe for the menu change is unclear, but perhaps Chipotle will add the bacon notice when it starts offering brown rice and breakfast burritos nationwide -- or maybe as it rolls out its vegan-friendly garden blend option or its delicious new chorizo filling. Ells should also be thankful that Porges isn't a Hindu in need of costly spiritual cleansing after his irreligious consumption.

Here's the series of tweets that led to, and revealed, Chipotle's menu change.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/18/chipotle-menu_n_930267.html#s332765&title=Seth_Porges

[panader0]

1. I suggest he get a high colonic if he's upset

'course I like bacon in my pintos.

[a la izquierda]

37. Delete

I didn't realize the article points out it was for religious reasons.

[tridim]

2. Larger amounts of bacon please.

There's always black beans vegetarians.

[hobbit709]

3. Obviously it didn't hurt him any.

[Goblinmonger]

7. Rather callous.

If someone is doing this for religious and moral reasons, that should be enough, shouldn't it?

[TheMadMonk]

17. Dietary prohibitions have their time and place.

And usually existed for very valid health reasons in those times and places.

Blind and stupid adherence to traditions is behind much of the conflict in the world or at the very least a convenient excuse to cover for the real reason of: "I want what you have."

How many I wonder are aware that the difference between a Jew and a Samaritan was a line in the sand and a petty doctrinal dispute. That in the Bible (and other holy works) entire nations were obliterated over matters every bit as silly as the definition of an "unclean" meal.

Anyone who projects their prejudices on others without absolute confirmation that the projection is valid, have only themselves to blame when "wires are crossed".

[malaise]

32. Well we're atheists but we do not eat

red meat or pork and would be really upset if we were served beans and they included bacon.

[Goblinmonger]

43. I'm an atheist and choose to not eat meat

for the environmental impact and for animal rights reasons. Nothing to do with "blind and stupid adherence to traditions."

[RebelOne]

59. Same here. I am also an atheist do not not eat meat.

And has nothing to do with my lack of religion. I just have compassion for animals.

[pecwae]

29. That isn't the point

and you know it.

[City Lights]

35. Your sensitivity is underwhelming. eom

[BiggJawn]

45. His deity is going to extract horrible payment from him...

... when he dies.

Fortunately, he's not going to be aware of it, because he'll be DEAD.

[LanternWaste]

53. Neither does supporting war.

"Obviously it didn't hurt him any..."

Neither does supporting war. But I imagine you'd rather not do that, yes?

[hobbit709]

56. Supporting war is equal to bacon in the beans? WTF?

[Swede]

4. Pork fat rules!

[SoCalDem]

5. Clutch those pearls..

I make the best re-fried beans and I use LARD:)

[otohara]

6. At Least It Wasn't Lard

Which is what used to be used in the old days.

[izquierdista]

12. Y tambien los mejores totopos

You haven't had authentic Mexican tortilla chips if you haven't watched the lard they were fried in resolidify as they cool.

[tridim]

18. I've read that lard is better for you than Crisco.

I use it in extreme moderation.

French fries and onion rings cooked in lard are unbelievable.

[MineralMan]

41. All Sing the Praises of Leaf Lard!

It's essential. From biscuits and pie crust, to refried beans, lard makes the difference. It's the secret ingredient that makes people say, "Wow! Those are the best biscuits I ever ate. What's your secret?" Yes, indeed. Only pure manteca will satisfy.

[tridim]

49. What is leaf lard?

The only lard I have access to comes in a green box or pail. Usually it's in the Mexican food section.

[MineralMan]

66. Leaf Lard is the very best lard. It comes from the fat around the

pig's kidneys and inside the abdominal wall. It just produces superior results. Hard to find these days, it used to be the standard product. There are online source, and there's a wonderful Hispanic market that carries it here in St. Paul.

[Retrograde]

8. If it's that important to you, ask

Refried beans are traditionally made with lard. If it's that important that you don't come in contact with pig products, ask, and if a place can't accommodate you go elsewhere.

[Goblinmonger]

11. These aren't refried beans.

They are cooked pinto beans.

[sammytko]

31. At a "Mexican" restaurant - so bacon is involved

We, well my mom, always used salt pork when she made a pot of pinto beans. Those beans ate used to make refried.

[Goblinmonger]

9. I don't get a lot of people on DU a lot of times.

This guy wants to avoid animal flesh for ethical reasons. He's pissed that Chipotle didn't let him know he was eating bacon (FWIW, I am a vegetarian and knew there was bacon in there because they told me so when I ordered my first burrito there). And the replies are basically "Eat meat, it's great" and "Stop being so touchy."

NOW, when anything even close to that is said about liberal Christians on here, people completely lose their shit and posts are deleted.

Just don't get it sometimes.

[tkmorris]

14. I understand your perspective, but I disagree

If an individual truly wishes to avoid all meat products and dines out, he should be in the habit of inquiring about any even remotely suspect menu item. Pinto beans are an item which is routinely cooked with some meat added as flavoring. Simply assuming they did not for YEARS and then complaining when the bacon is discovered strikes me as a bit silly. As a man with a diabetic wife I know that if there is any doubt AT ALL about what is in a food item you'd better go to the trouble to find out.

Now of course there are some who are not particularly sensitive to those who wish to avoid meat, and I cannot make any excuses for their behavior. THIS guy though, yeah I can't feel too sorry for him. He dropped the ball and now wants to blame Chipotle for it. It would be different if the chain had claimed the beans to be vegetarian only to reveal the truth later, but it doesn't sound like that's what happened here.

[Goblinmonger]

44. I agree with you to some extent.

I knew Chipotle beans were not vegetarian and found that out from a variety of sources. He probably should have asked. But if he is ordering a non-meat food, they might want to have the brains to say "hey, there's bacon in here, just so you know" (which is how I found out the first time I went to a Chipotle). They don't claim they are vegetarian, but it is really, otherwise, a vegetarian friendly restaurant so I can understand why he may have "let his guard down."

I just don't understand the attitude toward those of us that choose to not eat meat for ethical reasons.

[malaise]

34. Excellent response

I don't get it either

[trotsky]

40. I am a little torn on this issue but overall I side with you.

I think what tips the scale is wondering, what if this were a food allergy issue? I'd be all over Chipotle, and rightly so. People have a right to know what they are eating and make choices based on that, for whatever reason.

[ZombieHorde]

50. Those who abstain from meat or religion are very threatening to many people. nt

[LanternWaste]

54. If nothing else...

If nothing else, it certainly inflates one's sense of importance to believe so... :shrug:

[ZombieHorde]

63. Make the switch and see for yourself. You'll be surprised. nt

[snooper2]

60. He probably got a couple molecules of beef, rabbit and squirrel over the years too

:rofl:

[hifiguy]

68. Not to mention the FDA-tolerated

percentage of insect bits.

[Lucian]

10. OH MY GODS THE HORRORS!!!1!!1111!!!

Obviously the bacon didn't hurt anybody.

:eyes:

[LanternWaste]

55. I imagine many people base their own ethics on that simplicity.

I imagine many people base their own personal ethics on that simplicity.

[LeftyMom]

13. If you're ordering beans you ask.

If I'm ordering something bean-y someplace unfamiliar I get the black beans, because the pintos, refried beans, etc are usually cooked with some sort of pig product. Which isn't to say that labeling them wouldn't be a nice thing to do, but for items that frequently have stealth meat like that, it's just a good idea to double-check.

[TheMadMonk]

22. EXACTLY. And unless run to kosher standards. Two kitchens...

...and the whole assosciated nine yards, some degree of cross contamination IS inevitable: on hot plates and utensils; the hands of the cooks and servers; in condensation and splashes; etc.

Pork products, meat products, meat and dairy, fish and veg, dairy/eggs and veg, kosher, halal, ethical. Pick your ideologically imiscible poisons, if they are in proximity then all bets perforce must be off.


The only question which remains is who bears the greatest responsibility? The Thai restraunt for agreeing to attempt to provide a 100% peanut free meal, or the allergic individual who demands service in a place where a nearby sneeze is potentially lethal with immediate and personal specificity?

[LeftyMom]

25. I guess it depends on what degree of "purity" one expects.

Personally, as a vegan, I don't want to contribute to the suffering and exploitation of animals in any way I can manage to avoid. So I don't eat things with animal products in them. But I eat at places that prepare such foods for other diners, and I have no doubt that some cross-contamination inevitably occurs. Since that cross-contamination doesn't create further animal suffering or further demand for animal products, I can't see any way that it really matters. I do have a dairy allergy but fortunately if somebody fucks up and cooks my food on a buttery pan I'll have a little stomach trouble but I don't die or anything.

That said, having worked in commercial food production, being careful about allergies, other sensitivities (like gluten intolerance and celiac disease) and special diets is just part of the job, and anybody running a reasonably clean kitchen and communicating well with customers should be able to avoid most problems. The biggest issues I personally encounter in this regard are places run by staff with limited English skills, simply because it's difficult to communicate well enough to explain one's needs, ask questions about ingredients, etc. But with chain places all of that should be covered in training and usually all the information you need (like that there's pork in the beans) is on their website.

As far as cross-contamination, the best bet is to communicate to customers what you can and can't do, and to stay educated and try to prevent problems. There's a little Indian place here that labels all of their vegan and gluten-free offerings. One day I went in and one of the GF items had a label that said something like "this item not gluten free, today only. Sorry." I don't know if they had to use a different supplier because they ran short of an ingredient, or if somebody just messed up and stuck a spoon from a gluten-containing item into that tray, but in any case I was very impressed that they caught a problem and made sure their customers knew about it, and if I were somebody who avoids gluten that would have made me more confident in their ability to safely feed me.

[TheMadMonk]

26. All that said. "This product may (still) contain traces of nuts."

The risks of certain environments (peanuts in a Thai restraunt being the stand out poster child) overide the demands/wishes of the customer.

In the case of the beans mentioned, potato crisps, savoury snacks, etc., in the absesnce of a lable specifically indicating the use of smoked yeast to simulate that smokey bacon flavour, I always assume (and hope for) the use of real pig products.

If a product is offered as X then X it should indeed be. But to demand where there is no reson to presume (and quite possibly ever reason to assume the obverse) is an invitation to trouble.

If YOU have a powerful alergy or aversion to a given product, then it is YOUR responsiblity to avoid that product, not demand its absence in situations where that absence CANNOT be guaranteed. It is also your responsiblity to educate yourself about all necessary specifics of your aversion, not to expect that all others be suitably knowledgeable of it.

[WinkyDink]

47. I don't even care if I agree with you or not; I love that you used "perforce"! :-)

[Ohio Dem]

15. Here is what I don't understand.

If I was in charge of a national restaurant chain, hell, even one restaurant, my menu would have a vegan section. Why not cater to vegans and vegeterians? It seems to be good for business if people know you have the food they want, and even are making an effort to satisfy their needs. I eat meat, but I understand that many don't. My nephew's wife is a vegetation, and can't eat at some national chains because they have so few choices for her. Vegan and vegetarians are growing in number, so why ignore the entire demographic? If a family of seven has ONE vegan or vegetarian, those restaurants are losing seven potential customers, not just one. I'm not even suggesting doing it because it's the right thing to do. It just seems like good for business to have a vegan menu.

[LeftyMom]

16. Chipotle's pretty vegan-friendly.

They have the information on their website re: what is and isn't vegan. They've test marketed and apparently are rolling out nationally a vegan meat-substitute (made by Gardien- it's pretty good,) but they already have vegan options provided you don't mind grilled veg and black beans making up the bulk of your meal. Since everything's made in front of you to your specifications there's really no excuse for failing to ask what's in what.

[tridim]

19. Is there meat in the guacamole? I always thought that was the bulk in veggie burritos.

It's soooooo good, even though I'm allergic to it.

[LeftyMom]

21. It's fine, except that they usually have it next to the cheese,

so sometimes there's little shreds of cheese that have been dropped in. They'll bring more out from the back if you ask.

[XemaSab]

27. Yeah, but how often do you go on a restaurant's website?

Me? Like, never.

[LeftyMom]

28. Most anytime I go someplace new. If they don't have a website I read what's posted on Yelp.

And any vegan-specific reviews I can dig up.

[trotsky]

39. I suspect that it just doesn't make economic sense yet.

Businesses generally won't do something if it doesn't make money. It will happen, if enough people make their wishes known.

[Aerows]

20. I'm an equal opportunity eater

I don't get this whole "religious reasons" for not eating something. If I was absolutely starving, I'd probably end up eating the religious for reasons of survival if there was no alternative.

[fishwax]

23. seems like a good result all around

As some have said, probably a good idea for the guy to get in the habit of asking, especially for something like pinto beans.

But when he found out, it made sense to ask the company why they didn't identify it on the menu.

And it made sense for the company to change the menu to reflect it.

All in all, seems like a fin development.

[Horse with no Name]

24. mmmm...I'll have an order of bacon with a side order of bacon

my most favorite food in the world.

[pecwae]

30. These threads certainly

bring out the veg/vegan bashers. That aside, I have learned that I must always ask about meat and meat by products in restaurants including high end ones. Things like pinto beans are traditionally cooked with pork, so I simply avoid them.

If a restaurant is making an effort to reach out to meat eaters the ingredients should be revealed on their menus and upon request. If a restaurant doesn't make that effort the staff should know, or at least find out, the ingredients upon request. Actually, they should always ask the chef or someone in prep because I have had a meal brought to my table containing meat even after I asked the waitperson to check. She 'checked' by looking at the dish ("Nope, I don't see any meat."), but as soon as I tasted it I knew the lentils had been cooked with pork.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

46. I have a friend who is "gluten-intolerant"...

...and she pretty much knows what to order and what not to order in restaurants, but she also knows where there might be "hidden" risks, so she always asks the necessary questions.

I'd like to think that of I owned a restaurant, I'd do all the right things...including flagging all of my menu items so that customers with health issues could make the right choices.

I think society, at large, has a long way to go before it is fully "enlightened" in these areas.

I'm a perfect example. I never gave "gluten-intolerance" a thought until I met a friend who was gluten-intolerant. I didn't even know it was an issue.

Sometimes, these things can be a result of apathy, other times, a lack of education.

Regarding your comment "If a restaurant doesn't make that effort the staff should know, or at least find out, the ingredients upon request," I agree, but once again, where's the motivation? Other than the fact that you and I agree that it would be the right thing for them to do, what;s going to make them want to do it? The tip jar? Their moral compass?

I have a client whose restaurant is extremely responsible when it comes to this kind of thing, and would absolutely answer your questions responsibly.

I have another client who would probably say "Hey! A little pork won't kill you."

I know which restaurant I'd recommend for my friend with food issues.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[FreeJoe]

36. I'm sorry...

but it should have been obvious. Didn't he realize how good it tasted? That should have been the immediate tip off. He should be thankful for getting to eat bacon guilt free for years.

[a la izquierda]

38. How flippin' hard would it be...

to put a V next to veggie friendly items? Jesus.

That said, I'm a vegan and I have celiac disease. I have to ask, and it's become second nature.

[ZombieHorde]

51. I once went to a restaurant and asked if they had any vegetarian dishes.

The waitress said, "Yes, we have chicken fettuccine."

We just laughed, got up, and left.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

62. I have gotten that one, too.

I once argued a bit with a waitress who insisted she knew vegetarians who ate chicken. :D

[ZombieHorde]

64. So funny. nt

[a la izquierda]

65. Ugh...moron.

When I'm in Mexico, I have to be very specific when I request platos vegetarianos. They think pork and chicken are okay.

Today, I went to my university cafeteria...and they had a bunch of vegan options, and tofu in the salad bar. I'm in heaven.

[Quantess]

42. Taco Bell bean burritos contain beef fat

A.K.A. lard

[hugo_from_TN]

71. No it doesn't - From the Taco Bell web site

Beans
Pinto Beans, Soy Oil (Trans Fat Free Shortening with TBHQ and Citric Acid to Protect Flavor), Salt


Cheddar Cheese
Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (Color), Anti-Caking Agent. CONTAINS MILK

Red Sauce
Modified Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Paprika, Salt, Tomato Powder, Onion Powder, Spices, Garlic Powder, Yeast Extract (Contains Gluten), Extractives Of Paprika (Color), Xanthan Gum, Malic Acid, Caramel Color, Potassium Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Trehalose, Natural Flavors, And Less Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added As A Processing Aid..

Onions
May Contain One Or Both Of The Following: White Or Yellow Onions

Tortilla
Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Ground Corn treated with Lime, Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed Oil, Citric Acid), Contains less than 2% of the following: Salt, Fumaric Acid, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (use as Preservatives). CONTAINS: WHEAT Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Ground Corn treated with Lime, Vegetable Oil (contains one or more of the following: Corn Oil, Soybean Oil) with TBHQ and Citric Acid (to preserve freshness), contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (to preserve freshness), Furmaric Acid, Dough Conditioner. CONTAINS: WHEAT Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Ground Corn treated with Lime, Vegetable Oil (contains Soybean Oil) contains 2% or less of the following: Salt, Calcium Propionate, Potassium Sorbate (to preserve freshness), Furmaric Acid. CONTAINS: WHEAT Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Ground Corn treated with Lime, Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed Oil, Citric Acid), contains less than 2% of the following: Salt, Fumaric Acid, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (use as Preservatives). CONTAINS: WHEAT *Will Contain One Of The Ingredient Statements Above, Depending Upon Regional Suppliers

[Johonny]

48. maybe she doesn't know Kyle, maybe she doesn't know

[TwilightGardener]

52. Yeah yeah, he ate bacon, that's a shame. More importantly, did I read

that they were going to start using chorizo? Yum--I'm going to have to try that!

[Beacool]

57. Oh please, "shocking discovery".........

If this is the worst thing that can happen to someone, then they have few concerns in life.

:eyes:

[Quantess]

58. I tend to agree with you, but it depends on your perspective.

For some people, a bad haircut makes them want to sue. Some people freaked out when they couldn't get an iPad2 right away. Other people cried and moaned about New Coca Cola.

[Beacool]

69. I know, those issues are just as inane.

I understand that the guy felt deceived, but in the overall scheme of things, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. If he had been that concerned, he should have checked the nutrition page of their website. Most chain restaurants have one. I check them because I watch my calories and I want to know ahead of time what is less caloric.

;-)

[Quantess]

70. LOL. Agreed!

It's like...how did you feel when you found out McDonald's french fries are fried in lard? Well, for me...I didn't care because I only ate about 10 fries per year, nabbed off other people's trays.

[Beacool]

72. Exactly.

:-)

[MilesColtrane]

61. Only a matter of time before they are sued.

You would think Steve Ellis would have noted the 2008 lawsuit against McDonald's for not disclosing beef ingredients in their french fries, especially since McDonald's used to own a piece of Chipotle.

[hifiguy]

67. As this, unlike the presence of an undisclosed allergen,

is not a health issue, I suggest people take a chill pill about it. Lordy lu. :eyes:

[deaniac21]

73. Bacon is good even on ice cream.....