Chick-fil-A Removes Trans Fats from Entire Menu
Chick-fil-A', the nation's second largest quick-service
chicken restaurant chain, announced it has eliminated
artificial trans fat from its entire menu. Chick-fil-A is
among the first national quick-service restaurant chains to
offer a complete menu ' from entr'es down to condiments '
with zero grams of trans fat.
Chick-fil-A's core menu items have been free of trans fat
since their respective introductions, dating as far back as
the chain's first restaurant opening 41 years ago. The
chain's signature entrees, Chick-fil-A' Chicken Sandwich,
Chick-fil-A' Nuggets and Chick-fil-A Chick n-Strips', are
pressure cooked in 100-percent refined peanut oil (naturally
trans fat free). However, Chick-fil-A has spent the last two
years working to remove trans fat from the few remaining
products, including its popular Waffle Potato Fries',
dessert items and, most recently, its breakfast biscuits.
'Our customers trust us to provide them with products that
are created using only the freshest ingredients and most
nutritious cooking methods possible, and we take that
seriously,' said Chick-fil-A Dietitian Jodie Worrell.
'While most of our menu was already free of trans fat, we
have been working hard to eliminate trans fat from our
fries, breakfast and dessert offerings. We were diligent in
working with our supply partners to develop trans fat-free
products that mirrored the taste of the original products.'
Worrell has led the efforts in transforming the chain's
remaining products to have zero grams of trans fat. The
company also has been diligent to ensure that all of its
sauces and condiments are free of trans fat. The only item
left on the menu to have a small amount of trans fat is the
Chick-fil-A' Cheesecake, which has only 0.5 grams of
naturally occurring trans fat (and zero grams of artificial
trans fat).
'While we are proud that we successfully removed trans fat
from our lunch and dinner menus, we are especially proud of
our accomplishments within our breakfast lineup,' said Woody
Faulk, vice president of brand development and director of
Chick-fil-A's menu strategy. 'Breakfast has proven to be an
extremely competitive daypart for the quick-service industry
in recent years, and we are confident the diversity of our
menu and the fact we have removed trans fat from our
breakfast items without sacrificing taste will continue to
help position Chick fil-A as a leader in the breakfast
category.'
'We are also honored that others in the industry have taken
note of our efforts to offer customers a broader menu with
healthier choices, especially within our Kid's Meal
offerings,' Faulk added, noting Men's Health magazine
editors David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding recently
recognized Chick-fil-A in their new book, 'Eat This, Not
That for Kids,' as being 'America's Healthiest Restaurant
for Kids.' 'We have been intentional about offering a
variety of healthier options for children over the past
several years. We now offer a fruit cup as side option as
part of our Kid's Meals, and children also have a variety of
beverage choices, including milk, apple juice, or freshly
squeezed lemonade. Offering a menu with zero grams of trans
fat is a strong complement to our nutritional efforts for
children.'