Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Bakery Accused of Selling Dunkin' Donuts as Homemade Vegan, Gluten-Free Treats

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    “We can only assume, given this recognizable logo design, where these donuts really came from and what other ingredients they might contain.”

    Bakery Accused of Selling Dunkin' Donuts as Homemade Vegan, Gluten-Free Treats - Image: Cindysnacks
    Caption: Image: Cindysnacks

    Celiac.com 03/27/2024 - For people living with celiac disease, finding safe and delicious gluten-free treats can be a challenging task. However, recent allegations against a bakery in Long Island, New York, have raised serious concerns about the authenticity and safety of gluten-free products.

    Cindysnacks, a vegan market in Huntington, Long Island, took to Instagram to accuse The Savory Fig, a Patchogue-based bakery, of attempting to pass off Dunkin' Donuts products as homemade vegan and gluten-free doughnuts. According to reports, the Division of Food Safety and Inspection department of New York and Suffolk County Department of Health are investigating the accusations.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    The controversy arose when John Stengel, co-owner of Cindysnacks, discovered that doughnuts delivered by The Savory Fig bore an uncanny resemblance to Dunkin' Donuts products. The doughnuts were garnished with sprinkles that resembled the iconic "D" shaped sprinkles found on Dunkin' Donuts treats. Concerned about the authenticity and safety of the doughnuts, Stengel ordered an at-home gluten test, which returned a "high positive" result for gluten.

    Stengel's allegations have sparked outrage among individuals with celiac disease and food allergies, who rely on gluten-free products for their health and well-being. Many have shared their experiences living with celiac disease and expressed their concerns about the potential risks associated with consuming mislabeled products.

    In response to the allegations, The Savory Fig has shut down its Instagram page, and its Facebook page has been inundated with negative comments and ratings. 

    Cindysnacks has Contacted the Authorities to Ensure the Safety and Proper Labeling of Food Products.

    The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in the food industry, especially when it comes to catering to individuals with dietary restrictions. For those with celiac disease, it highlights the need for vigilance when purchasing gluten-free products and the importance of verifying the authenticity of food items. In a similar past case, Paul Selig was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pulling a similar stunt.

    As investigations into the matter continue, individuals with celiac disease are urged to exercise caution and seek out reputable sources for gluten-free products. By staying informed and advocating for their dietary needs, individuals with celiac disease can protect their health and well-being in an increasingly complex food landscape.

    Stay tuned for more on this and related stories.

    Read more at nyeater.com and Today.com



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Helen Vajk

    Hard to believe, but unfortunately seems true.  This kind of "mislabeling" is actually bodily assault for celiacs, consciously done for profit.  

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Hildawg037

    This shocks me and I'm with the last commenter, it's all about profit, not safety.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Scott Adams

    If you look at the related articles below this article you will see the case of Paul Seelig, who went to prison for many years by doing exactly the same thing, but he sold regular bread and marked it as gluten-free.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Dyani Barber
    Paul Seelig Found Guilty of Selling Fake Gluten-Free Bread Gets 11 Years
    Celiac.com 04/12/2011 - Paul Seelig was found guilty today of 23 counts of obtaining property by false pretense after a two-week trial in Durham, NC. The jury found that he illegally represented baked goods as gluten-free, but they actually contained gluten. Mr. Seelig received an 11 year prison sentence for his crimes, which included the sickening of more than two dozen customers, one of whom had a premature delivery that was possibly caused by her involuntary gluten consumption.
    Seelig's company, Great Specialty Products, purchased regular gluten-containing items from companies in New Jersey such as Costco, and then repackaged them in his home kitchen and sold them as "gluten-free" at the NC State Fair, various street fairs and via home delivery. Seelig claimed that his baked items...


    Jefferson Adams
    Dunkin Ditches Gluten-free Donuts
    Celiac.com 02/10/2014 - Dunkin' Donuts is quietly ditching its much publicized, much anticipated campaign to introduce gluten-free donuts across the nation.
    Information is scant, as Dunkin' has not issued any official press release. Dunkin' Donuts did, however, release the following statement to Gluten-Free Living:
    "In 2013, we tested a gluten-free Cinnamon Sugar Donut and Blueberry Muffin in select markets. We are currently assessing the results of this test, as well as feedback from our guests and franchisees, and we do not have plans to launch these products nationally at this time. We are continuing to develop additional gluten-free products for future tests, and we remain committed to exploring ways to offer our guests gluten-free choices."
    Word is that the rollout...


    Jefferson Adams
    Are Dunkin’ Donuts Breakfast Bowls Gluten-Free and Safe for People with Celiac Disease?
    Celiac.com 05/08/2019 - As Dunkin' looks to rebrand itself as a destination for more than just donuts, it has begun to offer breakfast foods, like the Power Breakfast Sandwich that launched earlier this year. Starting today at participating restaurants nationwide, Dunkin' is offering two new breakfast bowls, the Egg White Bowl and the Sausage Scramble Bowl. 
    And one question we've seen a lot, one thing many gluten-free eaters want to know is: Are Dunkin' Donuts Breakfast Bowls gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease?
    First, let's take a quick look at the products and their ingredients. The Egg White Bowl is made with egg whites, spinach, roasted potatoes, cheddar cheese and caramelized onions and delivers 14 grams of lean protein and 250 calories.
    The ...


    Scott Adams
    Is Dunkin' Donuts Gluten-Free?
    Celiac.com 07/22/2021 - We get a lot of questions from celiac community members wondering if certain brands and products are gluten-free. One question we see a lot is about donuts. Not just donuts, but Dunkin' Donuts. Specifically, is Dunkin' Donuts gluten-free?
    The short answer is no. None of the food products at Dunkin' Donuts are gluten-free at this time. The perpetually popular donut and coffee chain did try to develop some gluten-free products, including a gluten-free Cinnamon Sugar Donut and Blueberry Muffin, but abandoned that effort in 2014. Even their breakfast bowls don't claim to be gluten-free.
    That said, Dunkin' Donuts includes sandwiches, bagels, muffins
    Coffee
    Fresh brewed coffee is always gluten-free, so feel free to get your coffee fix at Dunkin...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - RMJ replied to Jean Shifrin's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Implications of glutening after repairing villi

    2. - Jean Shifrin posted a topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Implications of glutening after repairing villi

    3. - Scott Adams replied to Patrick-Tyler's topic in Gluten-Free Restaurants
      5

      Is McDonald's Safe for Gluten-Free Orders?

    4. - trents replied to Patrick-Tyler's topic in Gluten-Free Restaurants
      5

      Is McDonald's Safe for Gluten-Free Orders?

    5. - Scott Adams replied to GeordieGeezer's topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      17

      Anybody else have a similar experience...theories welcome as its something which i dont really understand.....


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      125,802
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Debra M
    Newest Member
    Debra M
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.8k
    • Total Posts
      69k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Patrick-Tyler
    • Elliebee
    • mswhis
    • Dhruv
      20
    • GeordieGeezer
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...