Publix's Update About 'Hurricane Cakes' Disappoints Customers
Publix's viral hurricane-themed cakes are gone with the wind.
After shoppers snapped photos of cakes depicting hurricane radars at several of the grocery store chain's locations (with phrases like "Leave Florida alone"), Publix issued a statement sharing that the controversial desserts will no longer be sold.
In the Q&A section of its site, Publix noted, "We appreciate your reaching out regarding decorated cakes from our bakery departments. Our associates make every effort to support our customers during weather events. Often times, this includes finding ways to delight them with their favorite Publix items as they prepare for uncertainty."
The message continued, "For these requests in particular, it is our company policy to not produce bakery cakes that would make light of a natural disaster. We have sent communications to our stores reminding them of our policy. We regret if a store has not followed policy, and we are working to rectify the situation."
Maria Brous, the director of communications at Publix, also shared that statement with TODAY.com.
Upon receiving the confirmation that the cakes had been shelved, customers took to Twitter to express their disappointment.
Wait @Publix is no longer going to make hurricane cakes???? This is outrageous!!!!! pic.twitter.com/B35cMOFauJ
— PhotographicFloridian (@JackLinFLL) August 18, 2023
"Hurricanes can be horrific and tragic. My parents lost their home in Michael. The least we can do is enjoy a hurricane cake from Publix! I get the decision, but I'm a little bummed," read a tweet.
Another customer pointed out, "Cmon @Publix Chicken Tender Subs and Hurricane cakes make riding out hurricanes a pleasure."
"Publix announcing they’re done doing hurricane cakes in Florida is truly an end of an era," wrote someone else on the social media platform.
You can take my hurricane cake when you pry it from my hurricane cake frosted fingers! https://t.co/iFlohyPKCp pic.twitter.com/i7XYIWmDt8
— The Beach From Florida (@BeachFrmFL) August 23, 2023
Another person joked, "@Publix we need to speak to a manager! Lol. What’s next? No alcohol during the cone of concern?" as someone else questioned, "Boooooooo who tf complained about this?!?!"
Last September, as Hurricane Ian approached Florida, Publix loyalists said they didn't take offense, claiming that the cakes were simply the store's way of helping its community prepare. Some even suggested it was an alternative to the wind scale commonly used to rank the strength of a storm.
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