In addition to its beloved waffle fries and signature sauce, Chick-fil-A has long built a reputation around its chicken.
As the basis for nearly every menu item, the quality of its chicken has been central to the brand’s identity, which is why a recent change has sparked controversy and concern among once-loyal customers.
In the spring of 2024, Chick-fil-A switched from serving chicken with no antibiotics (NAE) to chicken with antibiotics important to human medicine (NAIHM) in all of its restaurants in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada, according to a company announcement.
According to the NAIHM standard, chickens can receive animal-specific antibiotics if they get sick, while antibiotics intended for human medicine remain restricted.
The decision was driven by supply chain challenges and the need to maintain consistent quality across all Chick-fil-A locations, as strict NAE chicken requirements make the chain more prone to shortages if supply doesn’t match demand.
The company shared the update via a press release posted on its website, leaving many customers unaware of the changes unless they actively sought out the information.
Some reacted with disbelief, sharing their thoughts on social media and even linking Chick-fil-A’s new chicken to digestive issues.
Chick-fil-A’s switch to NAIHM chicken stirs controversy on social media.Shutterstock” loading=”eager” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-lglytj loader”/>
Chick-fil-A’s switch to NAIHM chicken sparks controversy on social media.Shutterstock
In recent months, videos and posts have circulated on social media claiming that Chick-fil-A’s chicken now feels “heavier, tougher and harder to digest” than before.
Some customers report stomach discomfort after eating at the chain, while others have more extreme theories, including claims of lab-grown meat.
A Chick-fil-A customer shared her experience on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I stopped eating at Chick-fil-A after I noticed the food was harder to digest. It’s hard to explain, but I felt like food was sitting in my stomach and my stomach didn’t know what to do with it. It was really weird. I refused to eat there.”
Another user posted on X that he didn’t notice the problem until he read similar posts online: “I read here that Chick-fil-A chicken is affecting people’s stomachs after eating it because of a possible change in their chicken. I never paid attention until today. I had it last night and now my stomach doesn’t feel right. Let’s just say I won’t be eating anymore.”
Despite these reactions, there is no evidence linking the change in chickens to digestive problems. Chick-fil-A continues to serve real chicken, and claims of lab-grown meat remain unfounded.
“The complaints seem real to the people experiencing them, but the timing isn’t to blame,” Newsbreak said of the claims. “Food sensitivities are constantly developing, and confirmation bias is strong when something changes.”
More Chick-fil-A News:
Dietitian and sports nutritionist Wendi Irlbeck posted the nutritional information in a Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich on X: “Common sense would tell you that you’re unlikely to feel good after eating it. Cook at home and you’ll not only feel great, but you’ll save money and be healthier!”
Physical therapist Dr. Ribu Thomas also urged consumers to consider broader factors, posting, “There’s a lot more to consider than just Chick-fil-A (gut health, etc.). First question: Why eat it for months if it’s destroying your stomach?”
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) verifies that NAIHM’s chicken suppliers meet strict standards to ensure food safety and prevent foodborne illness. From a regulatory point of view, the chicken remains safe to eat.
However, some nutrition experts warn that the widespread use of antibiotics in animals may have wider public health consequences.
“This decision may not just affect them, but could encourage an industry-wide shift away from prioritizing animal welfare and consumer health,” GQ nutritionist Jordan told Healthline.
Other experts shared similar concerns, pointing to Chick-fil-A’s influence in the food service industry.
“You take it [Chick-fil-A] it comes out of the game and affects all the players on the field,” professor Darin Detwiler told Health.
“If a company as big as Chick-fil-A will [relax antibiotic standards]so what’s to stop the smaller teams or the smaller players in the landscape from saying, “Well, if they’re going to do it, then we’re going to do it.”
Jordan added that the use of antibiotics in animal production can have significant long-term negative consequences for both animal and human health, particularly the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These bacteria can survive exposure to antibiotics, making infections in humans increasingly difficult to treat.
“People never become resistant to antibiotics,” said Professor Lance Price of the George Washington University Health Sciences Milken Institute. “The more you use [antibiotics]even more so [likely] that bacteria will become resistant to those antibiotics, which can spread to humans and cause drug-resistant infections.”
Chick-fil-A isn’t alone in reevaluating its antibiotic policies. Several major food brands have made similar changes in recent years:
Tyson Foods: Removed “No Antibiotics Ever” label from some chicken products in 2023 (Source:Reuters)
Panera Bread: It updated its accountability standards in 2023, removing labels such as “No Antibiotics Ever”, “Vegetarian Free”, “Grass Raised Pasture” and “Animal Welfare” (Source:panera bread)
Subway: It has moved from “never antibiotics” to a “responsible antibiotic use policy” that aligns with WHO and FDA guidelines in 2024 (Source:feed them wisely)
As antibiotic standards continue to evolve in the food industry, Chick-fil-A’s decision underscores the challenges of balancing supply chain realities, consumer expectations and public trust.
Despite the controversy, Chick-fil-A generated more than $9 billion in total revenue in 2024, a nearly 14 percent year-over-year increase, and achieved $22.7 billion in system-wide sales, which grew steadily year over year, according to QSR Magazine.
Related: Chick-fil-A Unveils First Innovation to Accelerate Global Growth
This story was originally published by TheStreet on December 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Restaurants section. Add TheStreet as a favorite source by clicking here.
