Chick-fil-A has introduced a new gluten-free bun for its sandwiches and will be offered as an alternative bun at its fast food restaurants nationwide, reported the "Today" show. It will come with a $1.15 surcharge.
Some 18 million Americans have a gluten sensitivity or preference, stated "Today." The new Chick-fil-A bun looks like its multi-grain bun and contains ground quinoa, sorghum, and amaranth, noted "Today."
"The texture of the bun is not too heavy and most similar to a muffin — soft and springy, not crumbly or dry. It tastes good eaten right out of the package and does not require toasting," Leslie Neslage, senior consultant of menu development for Chick-fil-A, told "Today."
Chick-fil-A said in a press release that its gluten-free bun was ordered most commonly with the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and the Grilled Chicken Deluxe Sandwich. The fast food company said the bun has 150 calories.
"We know our customers are looking for more gluten-sensitive alternatives," Neslage said. "They asked, and we listened. We heard positive feedback in test markets that the bun tastes better than some other gluten-free breads.”
"That's because instead of rice flower, we've made the bun with more premium ingredients like quinoa and amaranth. Our hope is that the gluten-free bun addition opens up options for gluten-sensitive customers to enjoy more of our menu."
Chick-fil-A said the new buns will be individually wrapped and can be ordered with any of its sandwiches.
Gluten is a general term used for the proteins found in wheat (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, Kamut khorasan wheat and einkorn), rye, barley and triticale – a cross between wheat and rye, said the Celiac Disease Foundation.
Gluten helps foods maintain its shape, acting as glue that holds food together.
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, affecting an estimated one in 100 people globally, stated the foundation.