The Savory Fig, a vegan bakery on Long Island, voluntarily recalled some of its baked goods after being accused of trying to pass off a Dunkin doughnut as their own product. The controversy began when a local vegan grocer found a suspicious-looking doughnut mixed in with their order of baked goods from The Savory Fig. The doughnut had the telltale sprinkles from Dunkin’ Donuts, which contain dairy and gluten. The owner of The Savory Fig, Michell Siriani, denied the allegations and claimed she would never pass off a Dunkin donut as gluten-free or vegan.
The vegan grocer, CindySnacks, posted about the incident on Instagram, sharing a photo of the doughnut in question and expressing concerns about potential allergens. They later conducted a gluten test, which showed a high positive result for gluten in the pastry. Siriani responded to the allegations by stating the doughnut was not from Dunkin’. The accusations caused controversy and harassment towards Siriani, leading her to change her number and relocate her business. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has since been involved in the investigation, but no fines or license suspensions have been issued.
The Savory Fig announced a voluntary recall of their baked items, including doughnuts, frosted rolls, matcha cinnamon rolls, maple pecan oat scones, and blackberry crumb muffins due to a possible undeclared wheat gluten, soy, and/or milk allergens that may have been present in the products. People with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, or sulfites may be at risk of a serious or life-threatening reaction if they consume these items. Despite the recall, no illnesses or injuries related to the possible allergen contamination have been reported.
In an unrelated development, CindySnacks has closed as a vegan market and announced plans to reopen as a vegan specialty deli in Centereach. The closure may be a result of the controversy surrounding the Dunkin doughnut incident or other factors. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate labeling, allergen control, and transparency in the food industry. The collaboration between The Savory Fig and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets demonstrates a commitment to improving safety and quality standards in the bakery’s operations.
