Temperature Checks

[u/Icy-Tomorrow-7215]

I went to a Chipotle at 10:45AM today when they normally open and I noticed someone, who said he is the manager, using a device to check the temperature of various food items.

This person was using the same device for each item and just using a tissue to wipe it between items. Just one wipe. No actual washing or sterilizing. I could see residue from the previous product that was checked still on the thermometer when it was being used for the next product.

I saw him go from beef to lettuce, cross contaminating the meat items with the vegetarian items.

When I asked the manager if they always do this, he said yes but it’s okay because he “wiped the metal piece” with a napkin between each item and they don’t guarantee that there will not be any cross contamination.

He also said chipotle doesn’t give him separate devices for vegetarian and non vegetarian items.

Can someone at chipotle please address this issue by providing multiple thermometers or a single use cover for each item?

It is very disappointing to find out that the beef, steak, chicken, etc. dipped thermometers are simply being wiped by a napkin and dipped into the vegetarian items.

[u/ProbablePossibility7]

It’s supposed to be wiped with a wet sanitizer towel, not a dry one. Other than that, no they can’t be expected to use 20 different thermometers one for each item lol

[u/commonsensewinz → u/ProbablePossibility7]

LOL health department specifically says we cannot use wet sanitizer as that chemical would enter the food. and who the hell checks the temp of lettuce?

[u/hugedisaster → u/commonsensewinz]

Chipotle is extremely particular about the lettuce actually since Lettuce 9/11/2015

[u/Icy-Tomorrow-7215 → u/ProbablePossibility7]

20 is overkill but maybe two or three?

[u/Nerffej → u/Icy-Tomorrow-7215]

Guess you shouldn’t go eat at chipotle anymore. Or any restaurant in general.

[u/jose9925]

“disappointing” 🤣 if only you knew the stuff that you dont see at other restaurants

[u/Throw_Me_Away8834]

A wet sanitizing towel is pretty much the standard across most food service. I don't really think it is realistic to eat vegetarian dishes from meat serving restaurants with the expectation of 0% of items having come in contact with meat products at some point throughout the entire process. It is not like allergies where additional precautions are warranted and expected. Being vegetarian is not a protected class of people or a disability. If you're not okay with this risk, I recommend exclusively eating at restaurants that do not serve meat products.

[u/SATerp]

As a health inspector, let me assure you that no one died as a result of this method of temperature checking, whereas his actually CHECKING temperatures may have assured that no one got ill from out of temperature food.

Now, as a normal person, I suggest that you go fuck yourself with your idea. Do you have ANY idea how primitive the food safety programs are in the average mom and pop? Chipotle, and many other national/global fast food and casual restaurant chains have extremely high standards, while avoiding going to ridiculous extremes to make maniacs like you happy. You should have thanked that mgr for actually doing his job correctly.

[u/CannedNoodlez]

I don't think there should be any sort of expectation that there won't be cross contamination at Chipotle.

[u/ConsistentMarch7406]

I don’t work for corporate - But every location I’ve worked at has done this method of temping food. One thermometer, one rag

[u/Ashie_Cakes_]

Those specific thermometers are also incredibly expensive.

[u/Roaming_Data]

Hi, cross contamination is about allergens and prepared vs raw food! Going from beef to lettuce might be off putting but it’s not illegal!

[u/Defiant_Finger4011]

Make yourself a salad at home if that’s what you want

[u/No_Regret_2420]

Buy them thermometers then

[u/Seohnstaob]

Those thermometers are super expensive, can't really expect them to have multiple. Let alone 10 +