Chipotle Is Working With Palantir to Track Food Safety Risks

Chipotle is partnering with Palantir to develop a "food safety risk platform" using Palantir's Foundry software. The platform aims to assess various factors, such as health department scores, pest incidents, and employee illnesses, to determine a store's level of food safety risk. Although the specifics of the partnership's start date and deployment are unknown, it is taking place during a challenging time for food safety.

In the first half of 2025, the Food and Drug Administration reported over 12,800 illnesses linked to foodborne outbreaks, primarily caused by a large cyclospora outbreak from iceberg lettuce. Chipotle, which does not serve iceberg lettuce, previously halted serving jalapenos from a supplier involved in a salmonella outbreak that resulted in over 430 illnesses.

Palantir offers several solutions for food-and-beverage companies, including inventory management, order and delivery automation, and supply chain tracking. These solutions have been implemented by various companies such as Tyson, General Mills, and Wendy's. Palantir's involvement in food safety is part of its growing presence in corporate America, which now accounts for almost half of its US business.

In the most recent quarter, Palantir reported a $764 million US commercial revenue, marking a 149 percent year-over-year increase. The company has also worked with government entities on supply chains and food safety, including a $22 million contract with the FDA and a $30 million contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2022.

Despite the controversy surrounding its work with ICE, Palantir remains best known for its government contracts. Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright acknowledged in 2025 that the company's employees, who make up about a fifth of the workforce, may be affected by immigration crackdowns and emphasized the importance of supporting their mental well-being.