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Rubio's commits to nitrate- and antibiotic-free bacon, chicken

Rubio's Restaurants has announced that, by the spring season, it will serve all-natural chicken raised without antibiotics and all-natural bacon with no nitrates or nitrites added, except those naturally occurring in natural ingredients.

January 15, 2016

Rubio's Restaurants has announced that by the spring season, it will serve all-natural chicken raised without antibiotics and all- natural bacon with no nitrates or nitrites added, except those naturally occurring in natural ingredients.

This new policy is part of Rubio's ongoing "Made With a Mission" commitment — to serve coastal food that not only tastes great, but food guests can feel great about eating, according to a company press release.

"Our promise to source quality ingredients started when we opened the first Rubio's restaurant in San Diego more than 30 years ago," said Ralph Rubio, co-founder of Rubio's. "It's always been important to us that our guests feel good about what they are eating, and that starts with the ingredients we use. As guests' expectations progress over time, and the demand for simple ingredients and transparency grows, we will continue to evolve our ingredients to stay ahead of the changing expectations."

Rubio's food quality comes from being selective, and that's why the Rubio's culinary team also keeps a list of ingredients that are never allowed in the Rubio's kitchen, Rubio said. Artificial sweeteners, certified FD&C colors, added MSG and partially hydrogenated oil are just a few of the ingredients never find in Rubio's food, with the exception of certain drinks and desserts.

As part of its "Made With a Mission" commitment, Rubio's also intends to remove artificial flavors and caramel coloring from its food (excluding some drinks and desserts) and is exploring the introduction of sustainable, wild-caught Salmon, all natural beef raised without antibiotics, and flour tortillas made with even simpler ingredients, Rubio said.