Food

Storm passes as Publix discontinues controversial hurricane cakes

In this Aug. 30, 2019, file photo, a cake for Hurricane Dorian is shown at a grocery store in Dania Beach, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee/AP, FILE

August 24, 2023, 9:57 PM

The storm has seemingly passed for Publix Super Market now that the retailer is saying goodbye to its weather-inspired confections.

The southeastern U.S. grocery chain, beloved for submarine sandwiches and uniquely regional offerings, will finally do away with an item that some found controversial: its hurricane cakes.

In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, a worker at a Publix bakery puts the final touches on a Hurricane Dorian cake, in Hollywood Beach, Fla.
Roger Edelman/ZUMA Press via Newscom, FILE

The discontinued decorated pastries from the chain's bakery departments traditionally depicted a storm's path and swirling vortex in vibrant blue, green, red and white frosting on cakes and oversized chocolate chip cookies. Others included phrases such as "Leave Florida Alone", "Go Away", hurricane "checklists" and storm names.

"Our associates make every effort to support our customers during weather events. Oftentimes, this includes finding ways to delight them with their favorite Publix items as they prepare for uncertainty," Maria Brous, director of communications for Publix, told ABC News in an emailed statement this week, following news of the cakes' discontinuation.

PHOTO: A cake for Hurricane Dorian is shown at a grocery store, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in Dania Beach, Fla. — In this Aug. 30, 2019, file photo, a cake for Hurricane Dorian is shown at a grocery store in Dania Beach, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee/AP, FILE

"For these requests in particular, it is our company policy to not produce bakery cakes that would make light of a natural disaster," she added.

Publix includes a statement on its Q&A web page about that rule, noting that it has "sent communications to our stores reminding them of our policy."

The company did not disclose when the policy went into effect.

In 2019, Publix made national headlines after a picture of one such cookie cake, which featured a hurricane's predicted path, went viral on social media. The cake was crafted ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which brought heavy rains and wind to Florida as it passed the state as a Category 2 that September, after battering the Bahamas as a Category 5.

At least 70 people died in the Bahamas as a result of the storm.

The photo, which was originally shared by a customer on Facebook with the caption "Publix has all your hurricane party supplies," sparked waves of discussion online, with some defending the cakes as humorous, and others questioning whether the designs were insensitive.

Publix shoppers had mixed feelings when seeing the storm-inspired cakes had been discontinued this week.

One Florida social media user posted on X -- formerly Twitter -- calling the decision "outrageous." Others commented that the move could provide "a business opportunity for local bakeries."