ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota State Fair has adjusted one of its new foods after public backlash against the plastic syringes that came with it.
The "Wingwalker Donut Flight" included donut holes and plastic syringes of filling to be inserted by the hungry fairgoer.
A Change.org online petition protesting the plastic waste generated by the syringes has picked up more than 3,200 signatures over the past week.
The donut flight was on the menu at The Hangar, a large venue at the fair that features live music, food and drinks.
The Minnesota State Fair released a statement on Friday, saying that they have decided, along with The Hangar, to remove the plastic syringes from the donut flight after "feedback from the public."
The fair announced Friday that the donut holes will instead be served in a compostable tray with three dipping compartments for Bavarian cream, chocolate custard and lingonberry jam.
"A small family-owned business, The Hangar is committed to improving its sustainability efforts," the statement read. "The owners will be changing all of their food service trays and boats to 'eco trays,' a post-consumer recycled paper product; utensils made from wood will be given to guests instead of plastic forks and knives; and they will continue to use eco-friendly napkins made from recycled paper products."
The state fair also said it looks forward to "furthering our sustainability efforts in the future."
In place of the Wingwalker Donut Flight, The Hangar will also offer a new food item, Tailspin, which is described as "tangy BBQ sauce drizzled on top of french-fried onions and fresh-made coleslaw, layered over pulled pork, elote, Oaxaca cheese and peppery spices – all on a seasoned hash brown waffle."
The Minnesota State Fair starts Aug. 22 and runs through Sept. 2. You can view more of this year's new foods here.