*By Chloe Aiello* Panera Bread is on a mission to educate the world about clean, affordable eating ー and in the process, the company is receiving its own education, CEO Blaine Hurst told Cheddar on Friday. "We are in the relentless pursuit of clean eating, we will not give up until we actually make a true difference," Hurst said. "When people join us in the journey, it actually helps us all because it actually does make the food even more affordable." Panera has a reputation for being a leader in healthy eating initiatives. In 2004, the company introduced antibiotic-free chicken to its restaurants, and removed artificial trans-fats in 2007. In 2010, Panera began listing calories next to food items on its menus, well before [the law requiring it](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/restaurant-menu-label-rules-go-effect-n872066) officially went into effect. To bolster its efforts even further, the company introduced in October a new digital platform and video series, "Food Interrupted," which aims to help consumers make better, more informed decisions about food. "As we looked at the opportunity for Panera in the marketplace to share its message of healthy eating, we realized we can't simply go out and talk about Panera. There is far more to better eating than even Panera knows, and so we partnered with food influencers, chefs like Marcus \[Samuelsson\], to tell more of that story of key issues around food in the marketplace today." In the series, influencers and experts like Samuelsson, Rainn Wilson and Kevin Curry educate viewers on different ingredients ー eggs, sugar, and grains, for example. Hurst said even Panera walks away from the episodes a little wiser. During the grains episode, for example, the company learned the value of whole grains and adjusted its practices accordingly. It now labels baked goods made with 50 percent or more whole grains, and includes the percentage. And although Panera's healthy eating initiatives give it a competitive advantage over other companies, Hurst said he hopes other restaurants will follow suit because it will help to make clean, whole foods more accessible and affordable. Of course not everything at Panera is health food ー Hurst said the restaurants still sells their fair share of soda and sweet treats. The company just hopes to spread a little awareness along the way. "We're not the food police," Hurst said. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/panera-takes-transparency-in-food-industry-to-another-level-with-new-digital-platform).

Share:
More In Business
Walmart warns “higher prices are inevitable”
Walmart, which became the nation’s largest retailer by making low prices a priority, has found itself in a place it’s rarely been: Warning customers that prices will rise for goods ranging from bananas to car seats.
US businesses that rely on Chinese imports express relief and anxiety
American businesses that rely on Chinese goods are reacting with muted relief after the U.S. and China agreed to pause their exorbitant tariffs on each other’s products for 90 days. Many companies delayed or canceled orders after President Donald Trump last month put a 145% tariff on items made in China. Importers still face relatively high tariffs, however, as well as uncertainty over what will happen in the coming weeks and months. The temporary truce was announced as retailers and their suppliers are looking to finalize their plans and orders for the holiday shopping season. They’re concerned a mad scramble to get goods onto ships will lead to bottlenecks and increased shipping costs.
Load More