For individuals adhering to specific dietary needs, such as keto or gluten-free diets, accurate labeling and ingredient transparency are paramount. Unfortunately, some establishments may not uphold these standards, leading to consumer deception and potential health consequences. This article delves into allegations surrounding Marina’s Bakery & Events in League City, Texas, and their claims regarding keto and gluten-free products.
Allegations of Misleading Information
Concerns have surfaced regarding the accuracy of ingredient information provided by Marina’s Bakery & Events, owned by James Gayen and Johnny Montgomery. Allegedly, the bakery has been misrepresenting their bread products as keto and/or gluten-free for several years. This information is reportedly disseminated through printed sheets listing alleged ingredients and macros handed out to customers or posted within the store.
Cheryl Soares, among other customers, grew suspicious after spending a significant amount of money on what they believed to be keto-friendly items, only to experience adverse effects. This prompted an independent investigation into the bakery's claims.
Independent Lab Testing Reveals Discrepancies
To verify the bakery's claims, Soares purchased several items, including blueberry muffins, salted pretzels, and a loaf of bread, and sent samples to Anresco Labs in California for nutrient analysis. The lab results starkly contrasted with the information provided by Marina's Bakery.
- Bread Loaf: Lab results indicated 22.79g of carbs and 117.99 calories per slice, while Marina’s Bakery claimed only 4.8g of carbs and 37 calories per slice. The tested bread even contained more carbs and calories than standard grocery store bread.
- Blueberry Muffin: The lab found 70.94g of carbs and 568.81 calories per muffin, including 33.87g of sugar. This directly contradicts James's claim of no added sugars and the bakery's stated 8g of carbs and 110 calories per muffin.
- Salted Pretzel: Lab analysis revealed 67.35g of carbs and 441.83 calories per pretzel, far exceeding Marina’s Bakery's claim of 3.4g of carbs and 165 calories.
Source of Products: Kraftsmen Bakery
Further investigation revealed that Marina’s Bakery allegedly sources its bread products from Kraftsmen Bakery, a wholesale bakery located in The Heights. Observations of deliveries from Kraftsmen trucks to Marina's Bakery in the early morning hours corroborated this claim.
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Online searches of Kraftsmen Bakery's website (www.kraftsmenbaking.com) allegedly revealed photos of products sold at Marina’s, including blueberry muffins, bread, bagels, and pretzels. Even the shortbread cookies and cinnamon rolls were allegedly identified as Kraftsmen products with slight alterations.
A call to Kraftsmen Bakery confirmed that they do not engage in special or contract baking and lack the ingredients necessary for keto or gluten-free baking. This directly contradicts claims made by James Gayen that another bakery uses his keto and gluten-free recipes.
Implications for Consumers
The alleged misrepresentation of products as keto and gluten-free has significant implications for consumers with specific dietary needs. Individuals with diabetes, gluten allergies, or those simply trying to eat healthy may be unknowingly consuming products that are detrimental to their health goals.
While customers are free to purchase products from Marina’s Bakery based on taste preference, it is crucial to be aware of the potential inaccuracies in the provided nutritional information.
Legal and Regulatory Action
Cheryl Soares and other concerned individuals have reportedly filed complaints with the Texas Attorney General’s office of Consumer Protection and the Food & Drug Administration, seeking investigation and potential legal action against Marina’s Bakery for deceptive practices.
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