Columbia University Faces Backlash Over 'October 7th Blush Sauce' Menu Item

Columbia University is facing criticism for featuring a pasta sauce named 'October 7th Blush Sauce' on its dining hall menu, coinciding with the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel.

The menu, which also included Marinara, Turkey Bolognese, and Garlic Oil, listed the controversial sauce as a 'today's special' at the pasta station. The timing of the menu item, exactly three years after the deadliest day in Israel's history, led to immediate backlash on social media.

Dozens of users accused the university of intentionally choosing the name 'Blush Sauce,' interpreting it as a reference to the blood shed during the October 7 attacks. Comments on platforms like X expressed shock and anger, with some calling the menu item "nauseating," "cruel and insane," and questioning if it was meant to symbolize "the blood of October 7 victims."

However, a counterargument emerged online, suggesting that 'Blush Sauce,' also known as pink or rosé sauce, is a legitimate culinary term for a creamy tomato-based sauce. Supporters of this view contended that the name refers to the color of the sauce, not the events of October 7, and that the university was not being antisemitic.

Some commenters also speculated that the menu item was a "copy/paste mistake" that had since been corrected, though this claim remained unverified. Critics, however, rejected the notion of an accidental posting, pointing to the specific placement of the name and the significance of the date.

Wednesday marked three years since the Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken, an event that initiated the ongoing war in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in a high Palestinian death toll and widespread devastation in the territory.

This incident occurs as Columbia University faces renewed scrutiny regarding its handling of pro-Palestinian protests and alleged antisemitism on campus. Around 100 protesters gathered outside the university gates on Wednesday, chanting slogans and criticizing the institution's actions.

Students for Justice in Palestine organized a protest dubbed '3 Years of Genocide, 78 Years of Resistance,' a group previously suspended by the university. The university has also held 'listening tables' to foster discussion about campus tensions.

Columbia's campus has been a site of significant protest activity, particularly following the October 7 attacks. In April 2024, a pro-Palestinian tent encampment on Butler Lawn led to clashes and was eventually dismantled by the NYPD. An antisemitism task force later reported that Jewish students experienced verbal abuse and ostracism during the spring 2024 demonstrations.

In 2025, the university suspended dozens of students and barred others from campus for participating in anti-Israel protests within the school's main library. Previous actions include the suspension of students for anti-Israel protests, and in 2025, dozens of students were suspended and others barred from campus for protesting inside the school's main library.

Columbia has previously made concessions to address concerns about antisemitism. In 2025, the university agreed to a $220 million settlement to restore federal research funding after President Donald Trump cut $400 million, citing the school's alleged inaction against harassment of Jewish students. The university also agreed to adopt a new definition of antisemitism, which critics argue can stifle legitimate criticism of Israel.