Chick-fil-A's recent update to its iconic waffle fries recipe has drawn significant criticism from loyal customers. The fast-food giant introduced a new coating with pea starch to achieve "crispier fries, longer." While the company claims the ingredient doesn't contain any of the nine major allergens, many customers report a noticeable decline in taste and texture.
Customers are overwhelmingly expressing dissatisfaction. One frequent customer, Daryl-Ann Denner, a founder of the clothing brand Nuuds, voiced her disappointment on Instagram, describing the new fries as "dry, grainy, and flavorless." Her comments highlight a broader pattern of negative feedback on social media platforms.
The negative sentiment extends beyond individual customer complaints. Concerns regarding the potential for cross-contamination with pea allergens are also emerging. Some parents with children who have pea allergies have indicated they can no longer safely dine at Chick-fil-A due to the introduction of pea starch.
This controversy underscores a wider theme of customer dissatisfaction related to perceived quality changes in popular food items. The change in the waffle fries recipe has caused concern among loyal patrons and those with pea or peanut allergies. Many suggest the chain return to the original recipe or at least adjust the new recipe to address taste and texture issues.
The company has yet to provide a statement on these criticisms, despite several public inquiries.
