Sufferers of celiac disease can now get their Chick-fil-A sandwich with a gluten-free bun.
The fast-food chicken chain announced the addition to the menu Monday.
Made from quinoa and amaranth, the 150-calorie buns will set you back an extra $1.15, and you’ll have to assemble the sandwich yourself to lessen the risk of cross-contamination, Fortune magazine reported.
Earlier this month, the website VeryWell.com named Chick-fil-A as the fast-food chain with the best selection of menu options that are gluten-free. Arby’s and Burger King were also praised by the website for their gluten-free options, although VeryWell said that both companies risk cross-contamination with its food preparation practices.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition whereby the body essentially attacks the small intestine in response to an allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat and barley.
Even “[i]ngesting small amounts of gluten, like crumbs from a cutting board or toaster, can trigger small intestine damage,” according to the Celiac Disease Foundation.
While just 1 percent of average healthy Americans have the disease, some 97 percent of celiac sufferers don’t know they have it, according to the Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago Medicine.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.