One way that many people stick to a healthy diet is by noting the calorie counts provided by fast food places and chain restaurants. It’s a really helpful tool that makes it easier to make healthy choices, even if you happen to be feasting at a location that isn’t particularly known for healthy food. Unfortunately, if the calorie count is inaccurate for any reason then it’s no longer such a helpful tool — and if it’s as inaccurate as Chipotle’s menu was, then you can basically consider your diet sabotaged.
That’s the reason why three Chipotle customers in California are suing the burrito chain. After each customer ordered the chorizo burrito, which was listed on the menu as having 300 calories, one can assume that they noticed the familiar sinking sensation in their stomach that usually accompanies the regret that comes from eating a Chipotle burrito with far many calories. Indeed: the chorizo burrito actually has at least 700 calories. The tortilla alone is 300 calories, as is the ground meat included in the burrito. That’s 600 calories right there, not counting other toppings such as rice, beans, salsa, and cheese.
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The plaintiffs’ suit alleges that “[B]y providing false nutritional information for their menu items, consumers are lulled into a false belief that the items they are eating are healthier than they really are.” As for Chipotle’s response, they said via a spokesman as well as on Twitter that they strive for “transparency” when it comes to what’s in their food. Accroding to KTLA, the lawsuit covers “all people who bought food at Chipotle for four years leading up to the filing of the complaint.”
Consider this a lesson for the importance of taking the calorie counts on menus with a grain of salt. They can be a great tool for keeping your diet in check, but you should remember to use common sense, listen to your body, and to take other factors (such as extra toppings) into account.
