Secret Recipes Controversy

It's interesting to recall the great recipe issues over common, everyday foods. From the controversies over the Colonel's secret herbs and spices to the Coca Cola formula wars, those days and times seem quaint and far behind us.

Once and awhile, though, another issue pops up to remind us that we're not all that different from the past.

Take for instance, the Great Thomas' English Muffin Nooks and Crannies controversy. A New York Times article illustrates the point.

First off, it's important to know that the muffin product symbolized by the iconic horse and wagon logo, was purchased by Bimbo Bakeries in 2009. That's something I hadn't known - The American corporation bought the Thomas' company (which is now in turn owned by the Mexican company Grupo Bimbo).

Turns out a vice president left the new company and apparently wanted a new job at the Hostess. The problem? He knows the secret recipe to Thomas' English Muffins which causes the nooks and crannies! This is a BIG secret in the bakery world with only 6 other people in the know.

Bimbo says they thought the VP was retiring, Hostess says they only hired him for his industry experience and not any particular secret, and the VP said he only copied a bunch of files unto his flash drive because he wanted to practice his computer skills for his new job.

And now the lawyers are involved. Everybody is pointing fingers, with some saying the whole episode might be a marketing ploy because getting nooks and crannies is not that big of a secret (use a really wet dough and bake it at high heat). But now the VP is unemployed because the courts won't let him go to Hostess, Hostess doesn't want to get involved and can't wait for the lawyers so they're hiring somebody else.

And so, the humble breakfast muffin has been spread thick with drama and under the heat of scrutiny. As the French proverb goes - The more things change, the more they stay the same.