A Long Island vegan bakery, The Savory Fig, faced backlash and a state probe after allegedly including a Dunkin’ Donut in their baked goods order. The owner, Michell Siriani, denied the allegations despite photos shared by a local vegan grocer, CindySnacks, that showed a doughnut from The Savory Fig covered in Dunkin’ Donut sprinkles. The bakery voluntarily recalled some of its baked items due to a possible undeclared wheat gluten, soy, and/or milk allergens, with plans to implement a new labeling system to prevent future incidents.
The controversy began when CindySnacks received a suspicious doughnut with recognizable Dunkin’ Donut sprinkles in an order from The Savory Fig. Concerned about the possible allergens in the doughnut, CindySnacks reached out to Siriani, who denied that the doughnut was from Dunkin’. However, a home-testing kit revealed a high positive result for gluten in the pastry, causing even more concern over the potential allergens present in the bakery’s products.
Despite Siriani’s denial and claims of harassment, The Savory Fig agreed to recall their manufactured baked items in cooperation with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The recalled items included doughnuts, frosted rolls, matcha cinnamon rolls, maple pecan oat scones, and blackberry crumb muffins, all of which may contain undeclared wheat gluten, soy, and/or milk allergens that could pose a risk to individuals with severe allergies or sensitivities. No illnesses or injuries related to the possible contamination have been reported.
As a result of the allegations and recall, The Savory Fig has begun working with the Department of Agriculture to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and prevent cross-contamination or product tampering in the future. The bakery, registered as a home processing business in Patchogue, has taken steps to protect its clients and itself from allergens by implementing a new labeling system and recalling potentially contaminated items. The decision to recall products was made out of an abundance of caution to prevent any potential health risks to consumers.
In an unrelated development, CindySnacks has closed as a vegan market and plans to reopen as a vegan specialty deli in Centereach. The closure of CindySnacks, which had raised concerns about the bakery’s products, signals a shift in the local vegan food market. Despite the controversy surrounding The Savory Fig, both businesses are taking steps to adapt to changing consumer preferences and ensure the safety and quality of their products. The recall and closure are part of a larger trend in the food industry towards increased transparency and accountability in response to consumer demands for more information about the products they consume.