Another fast food chain has succumbed to the government’s pressure to dictate what we eat. Explaining it as adding “healthier options,” Chick-fil-A is making significant changes to its menu that wreak of Food Police influence.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chick-fil-A will eliminate Hi-C from its children’s beverage line, add applesauce to the kids meal, and is “working to reduce salt in its regular menu, including a 40 percent cut in its Chargrilled Chicken filet, 25 percent in breads and 10 percent in dressings and sauces. Chick-fil-A also has removed high fructose corn syrup from its chocolate milk as well as some salad dressings and sauces.”

While the company claims in a USA Today article that this decision was not influenced by the government’s crackdown on restaurants and food companies, the timing and changes suggest otherwise.

“Fast-food chains have been eager to show they’re concerned about kids’ health. First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign against childhood obesity has given fuel to those who blame the industry for kids’ health-related problems.

New regulations from the health care overhaul will require many restaurants to post nutrition information on their menus. And federal agencies are considering whether to curb companies from advertising unhealthy food to kids.

Baldwin [company spokesman] said that Chick-fil-A’s move wasn’t related to any of the impending regulations.”

Restaurants changing or altering their menus based upon consumer preferences is completely understandable and crucial to surviving in this economy; however, it appears as though the pressure may be coming from other sources as other eateries and food manufacturers fall into line with the regulations. In fact, this change comes at a time when Chick-fil-A leads the industry in the highest average sales per store, beating out competition like McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. Clearly the consumers are happy with the current offerings.

In the end, it’s unfortunate that such changes are based upon faulty science. Despite changing its menu to ‘help parents’, Chick-fil-A may get the opposite response it was hoping for. History has shown product changes in salt content have been met with decreased consumer satisfaction as lowering the salt content alters taste and can even increase the overall calories consumed.

Tell us what you think! Do you think Chick-fil-A’s actions are appropriate? Are their moves the result of consumer preference or government pressure? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.