text: Fast food giant Chipotle is making a fresh start and stepping away from using GMOs (genetically modified organisms) as ingredients. Steve Ells, the company's co-CEO and founder, discussed the new development with CNN Money. 'It's relatively easy for us to have all non-GMO ingredients,' he said in the interview. 'I mean, because we don't have many ingredients in the first place.' Scroll down for video . Fresh start: Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells, pictured, has said 'It's relatively easy for us to have all non-GMO ingredients' Ells added 'You know, we've always paid attention to the way we've sourced food since we started 22 years ago. 'Like artificial colors, additives, preservatives. We'd just rather not be a part of that.' CNNMoney reported that the move marks Chipotle as the first GMO-free national fast food chain. Ells said in the interview that the company has 68 total ingredients and another company's burrito features upwards of 80. Rice, meat marinades, chips, salsa, and tortillas will not be made with GMOs -- with non-GMO corn, sunflower oil and rice bran oil now featuring as ingredients, CNNMoney reported. The New York Times reported that non-GMO canola oil will also be used. Simplified: Ells, seen in a Chipotle kitchen, has said the company has 68 total ingredients -- and another company's burrito features upwards of 80 . On the rise: Last year, the Chipotle's sales reportedly went up 27.8%, and its stock went up approximately 350% over a five-year period . However, CNNMoney noted GMO-feed is consumed by chickens and pigs Chipotle uses. During an interview with the financial news outlet, Ells said farmers are not currently ordered to use non-GMO feed. 'Now this is something that we would like to do eventually,' he explained. 'There just isn't enough non-GMO feed at this point.' Speaking about GMOs, Ells also said 'They say these ingredients are safe, but I think we all know we'd rather have food that doesn't contain them.' Ells addressed Chipotle's shortage of carnitas pork in stores in a separate interview with the New York Times. The shortage, the newspaper explained, is due to a pork supplier not hitting standards - meaning reduced sales. Ells told the Times 'We're working with our farmers to plan enough of these [non-GMO] crops we need to meet our supply. 'With pork, it's harder because we only need one part of the animal, the shoulder, and the farmer needs to sell the whole animal to make it work.'
target: Chipotle is stepping away from using GMOs (genetically modified organisms) as ingredients .
  The company's rice, meat marinades, chips, salsa, and tortillas will not be made with GMOs .
  However,  GMO-feed is still consumed by the chickens and pigs the company uses .
  Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells has said 'They say these ingredients are safe, but I think we all know we'd rather have food that doesn't contain them'