Chick-fil-A, the popular fast-food chain, is set to make a significant change in its chicken sourcing. The company announced that it would be shifting from antibiotic-free chicken to No Antibiotics Important To Human Medicine (NAIHM) starting this spring due to supply reasons. This move comes after the chain had previously switched to antibiotic-free chicken in 2014 and achieved its goal of serving antibiotic-free chicken at all chain restaurants in 2019.
The announcement, shared on Thursday, stated, ‘To maintain supply of the high-quality chicken you expect from us, Chick-fil-A will shift from No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) to No Antibiotics Important To Human Medicine (NAIHM) starting in the Spring of 2024.’ However, no specific deadline has yet been announced for the change to roll out.
Explaining the difference between NAE and NAIHM, the Chick-fil-A website clarified that NAE means no antibiotics of any kind were used in the raising of the animal, while NAIHM ‘restricts the use of those antibiotics that are important to human medicine and commonly used to treat people, and allows use of animal antibiotics only if the animal and those around it were to become sick.’
Regarding the reason for the change, a Chick-fil-A spokesperson told Fox News Digital, ‘As we looked to the future, the availability of high-quality chicken that meets our rigid standards became a concern. This change enables us to not only ensure we can continue to serve high-quality chicken, but also chicken that still meets the expectations our customers count on us to deliver.’
The announcement was sent to app users as well, and the shift in policy aligns with other changes in the industry. Panera Bread also recently switched from its antibiotic-free policy in its pork and turkey products, citing limitations in its supply chain options.
Chick-fil-A’s decision to transition away from antibiotic-free chicken reflects the complexities and challenges involved in sourcing high-quality ingredients for the food industry. As the company prepares for this shift in sourcing, customers can anticipate the updated chicken products to be rolled out in the coming months.
