Hardly anything can come between a high school student and his favorite burrito or soup-salad-sandwich combination. But what happens when the addictive and delicious food and drinks themselves change?

Aside from reading any signs on the windows or messages on the menu boards, it is unlikely that you will notice a change in the taste or composition of your food. But more and more companies are beginning to take a more natural approach to the ingredients they use by banning GMOs.

The term “GMO,” or genetically modified organism, refers primarily to plants that are biotechnologically altered in favor of or against a particular trait, such as delayed ripening fruits or virus resistant vegetables.

A technology that was developed relatively recently (early 1980’s) has since taken off– according to TakePart.com, 85 percent of corn and 88 percent of cotton grown in the United States are genetically modified.

So what’s the controversy?

Supporters of GMOs argue that genetic modification can help increase crop yields, helping to control food prices from skyrocketing and to contribute to world hunger efforts. GMOs can also help industries become less reliant on oil, with more of an emphasis on biofuel, which can reduce greenhouse emissions as well. Additionally, there have been no negative observed side effects; testing has shown that they are safe for human consumption.

However, many people are passionately opposed to GMOs as well. By introducing GMO plants to the environment, some scientists fear that plants that are resistant to normal viruses will lead to the prevalence of stronger, more potent viruses that adapt to the GMOs, as strains of flu viruses adapt to vaccines each year. Also GMO plants are can be difficult to contain due to wind and other environmental factors, and can cross-contaminate traditionally grown crops, economically hurting farmers who aim to sell to countries that have bans GMOs. Similarly, some fear the power of major global food companies such as Monsanto, reluctant of what the consequences on the consumer will be when they control both the seeds and pesticides of produce across the world.

Consequently, companies such as Chipotle have decided to go GMO free, along with Panera Bread, which will stop using artificial coloring and additives in their food. According to Technomic’s Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report, 65 percent of people perceive GMO free food and drinks as being healthier than normal ones. Whether or not it is true, it is in the best financial interest in the company to be seen as a healthy company, attracting consumers who may not have otherwise eaten their food.

Despite menu price increases as a result of leaning away from genetically modified foods, Chipotle saw a 10.4 percent increase this first quarter, as reported by Forbes.com.

Whether you support GMOs or not is a personal decision, however, as you dig into your burrito bowl, you may now know a bit more about where those avocados came from.