As vegans, we learn early what to look for on a food label before purchasing. The same is true for those who suffer from gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or other specific food allergies. When we buy premade items from restaurants and bakeries, we trust that the sellers are transparent about ingredients that may pose a danger to individuals or run contrary to the person’s dietary choices. When companies break that trust, it becomes a potential danger that could result in sickness, hospitalization, or even death. That is why it is so important for retailers to disclose any possibility that questionable ingredients could end up in the food they are serving.  

Vegan DonutGate and The Savory Fig

One Long Island bakery is under fire after significantly breaking customer trust. Michelle Siriani’s bakery, The Savory Fig, is under investigation by New York’s Division of Food Safety and Inspection after consumers noticed the “vegan, gluten-free” donuts delivered by The Savory Fig looked remarkably like those served at Dunkin’ Donuts. The giveaway was the donut’s trademark, D-shaped sprinkles in Dunkin’s signature colors. After testing, they discovered that the donuts contained significant amounts of gluten, confirming they were not prepared as advertised and could pose serious health risks to buyers who consumed them.  

The Disturbing Story of The Savory Fig & CindySnacks

On February 23rd, Savory Fig owner Michelle Siriani dropped off an order of donuts at a vegan market in Long Island, Cindysnacks. Upon inspection, the owners of Cindysnacks could not help but notice that one of the donuts looked remarkably like those served by the chain bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts. The market immediately pulled all Savory Fig items from their shelves as a precaution until the seller could resolve the issue. They stored them while they attempted to confirm what ingredients the donuts contained. Dunkin’ Donuts are known to contain eggs, milk, and wheat, which means they are not vegan or gluten-free. Being a vegan market, Cindycakes could not, in good conscience, serve items that may contain ingredients harmful to their customers or contrary to their diets or beliefs.  

 

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Selling Dunkin’ Doughnuts as Vegan and Gluten-Free

Cindysnacks co-owner John Stengell reached out to Siriani with his concerns, hoping she could clear up the matter quickly. Siriani did not offer any acceptable answers, however, so the Stengells did their own research. They ordered the same sprinkles Siriani claimed she used on the doughnut. When compared with those decorating the doughnut, it was obvious that they did not match. They also carried out tests on the doughnut and confirmed that it did contain considerable amounts of gluten, meaning their initial concerns were correct.  

The company immediately cut all ties with The Savory Fig, stating, “We can only assume, given the recognizable logo design, where these donuts really came from and what other ingredients they might contain.” They also stated, “We are mortified that we provided any of her products to our customers and our own family. Most importantly, we want to apologize from the depths of our soul to anyone who unknowingly consumed these products.”  

Dangers of Mislabeling Food Ingredients

Mislabeling food ingredients goes far beyond dietary preferences —it’s a matter of consumer safety. For individuals with allergies, dietary restrictions, or specific health conditions, incorrect labels can lead to severe health risks, including allergic reactions, exacerbation of chronic health conditions, or even death.

Celiac Disease  

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes a “leaky gut” when the patient consumes gluten. This significantly diminishes the intestine’s ability to keep bacteria, toxins, and food particles out of the bloodstream. As a result, the immune system begins to treat gluten as a foreign invader, which causes additional damage to the intestines. As a result, the immune system begins to treat gluten as a foreign invader, which eventually causes additional damage to the intestines. Those who have Celiac Disease follow a gluten-free diet to prevent this damage and repair any prior damage. They trust that businesses will be honest and transparent about the ingredients in their products. When businesses violate this trust, the consequences could be severe for those with this disease. One Reddit user summed it up by saying, “Straight-up wheat exposure from eating a regular donut would kill me dead.”  

Gluten Intolerance   

Gluten intolerance often manifests as bloating, nausea, brain fog, joint pain, or even skin rashes. Some people have a more extreme reaction, leading to anaphylaxis. This allergic reaction can be life-threatening and can appear within mere minutes of consuming gluten. When a company does not properly label products that contain gluten, it can lead to sickness that can range from mild to severe. In some instances, it can lead to death.  

Vegan Lifestyles

People choose a vegan lifestyle for several varied reasons. Some hope to help heal the environment. Many are animal lovers who do not condone or participate in the torture of animals in pursuit of a meal. Others understand the health benefits of a vegan diet. In any case, they have decided to commit to something significantly influencing their lives and choices. When vegans purchase from bakeries or restaurants, they put their trust in the promises of the owners and employees to help them make decisions that could have a significant impact on their lives.  

Food Businesses Responsibility for Transparency

Businesses specializing in the sale of prepared foods are responsible for being 100% transparent regarding the ingredients used in their products and the potential for cross-contamination during preparation. Dr. Purvi Parik, an allergist and immunologist with NYU Langone Health, said this about wheat allergies. “There are a whole myriad of less severe intolerances, but severe or not, there needs to be transparency in food labeling and ingredients as it can be deadly.”   

Businesses like The Savory Fig, who are not honest about their products, are risking lives. Those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or other food-related allergies and those who choose to follow a plant-based diet are adept at discerning the presence of inappropriate or dangerous ingredients on labels. If those labels are incorrect, however, they could easily consume something that could harm them. Companies serving food products are responsible for honestly informing and protecting their customers from harmful ingredients. Those who improperly repackage or mislabel food products put their faithful customers at risk and should be held accountable for their actions.