Chick-fil-A's Gluten-Free Bun Surcharge Raises Concerns for Some in Celiac Community

A great way to limit future options for celiacs is to punish companies who offer options for celiacs. 
 

I didn't even know Chick-fil-A offered gluten free buns. But there's a bigger question that needs to be settled here and that is does having celiac disease constitute a disability? If celiac disease is declared a disability by the government then eateries would need to absorb the cost of providing gluten free offerings in the same way they do wheelchair ramps, dedicated parking places and other handicap accommodations rather than inflicting a surcharge. And celiacs could be given a card to present at eateries identifying themselves as such. This might also lead to food handling requirements that would make eating out safer for celiacs in the sense of avoiding cross contamination.

But apart from the gluten free bun surcharge at Chick-fil-A, I wonder how safe they are otherwise for celiacs eating out with regard to sauces, seasonings and food handling practices. Any input from your own experiences? 

They are not the first company doing this. The majority of establishments that I have seen that have a gluten-free bread option are charging extra (Red Robin charges around $2, Jersey Mike's +$1.85). Like most Celiacs, I understand that gluten-free is more expensive (the cost of a loaf of bread for example is ridiculous - half the size and sometimes triple the price), and I appreciate the options and understand why they would have to pass the cost on. Although I suspect they buy in bulk and I suspect each roll does not actually cost them an extra $2 - but I digress. My issue with the whole situation is the cost of gluten-free food in general and I wonder if there is a regulation on the pricing from the manufacturer. Since it's not an option for Celiacs to eat gluten-free, why isn't there more being done to control the cost of purchase of these products at the top?

I don't know that the high cost of a loaf of gluten free bread is out of line with the cost to manufacturers of the ingredients. Have you bought a bag of gluten free flour to make your own bread lately? Remember, this is a niche market and the quantity of sales is far less than it is for mainline bread products such that the higher manufacturing costs cannot be absorbed by a high volume of sales.

I don't understand why you are only talking about  chick fil a. Every restaurant I eat at charges more for their gluten free pizza and buns. Is there some sort of bias against them? Maybe other restaurants should stop this practice also. 

Yes, I personally don't have a problem with restaurants charging more when substituting gluten free bread products for their less expensive wheat counterparts as long as the charge is in line with the actual extra it is costing them to provide it.

Anyone with gluten intolerance who has bought gluten free buns knows that they aren't cheap. I was buying very good buns off Amazon but they were $4 each. Grocery store prices are also high for gluten free buns. I was very happy to pay an upcharge of $1 to $2 at restaurants to get one, usually Udi brand, and being able to enjoy sandwiches again. This BS of a class action suit will probably stop restaurants from offering the gluten free buns . Do not join this misguided legal action, it will only hurt people, like me, who have Celiac. 

I also think we need to remember that this kind of food ingredient patronage expectation will not stop with gluten. If it's not gluten it would be corn, wheat, soy or a host of other ingredients commonly used in food products that restaurants would be asked to provide work arounds for.

5 hours ago, Jim Chris said:

Anyone with gluten intolerance who has bought gluten free buns knows that they aren't cheap. I was buying very good buns off Amazon but they were $4 each. Grocery store prices are also high for gluten free buns. I was very happy to pay an upcharge of $1 to $2 at restaurants to get one, usually Udi brand, and being able to enjoy sandwiches again. This BS of a class action suit will probably stop restaurants from offering the gluten free buns . Do not join this misguided legal action, it will only hurt people, like me, who have Celiac. 

Just to clarify, Celiac.com is not taking a position on this article, we are just reporting this news, which is relevant to the gluten-free community.

As an additional note, I went onto the "class action" lawsuit website and threatened them with a class action suit against them if they pursue this self destructive, ignorant action against any restaurants or chains and restaurants simply stop offering gluten free products to avoid stupid lawsuits.

I agree with Jim Chris. Restaurants will simply not offer the gluten free option if they are sued. Maybe investigate why companies are processing wheat so differently than they did 59 years ago that is causing celiac disease and allergies.