Kroger, Harris Teeter Face Backlash For Removing Controversial Pro-American Items

Kroger and Harris Teeter are facing backlash after removing pro-American and conservative items.

“America, love it or leave it” and “Give me liberty or give me death” are just some of the phrases written on products previously sold at some Krogers and Harris and Teeters. Some of the products, including drink sleeves, with designed with a bald eagle holding a gun. The line of items was part of a series called the “Freedom Series.”

The items became a topic for discussion after someone took to Twitter and complained about the items, saying some of them were insensitive to the recent mass shootings the country has experienced.

“Why are you allowing this type of item to be sold at your grocery store in Huntersville NC? Clearly in light of the recent mass shootings, you can understand how this IS NOT a good idea,” wrote the Twitter user.

Both stores responded after Twitter users tagged them in complaint tweets. The items have since been discontinued at both stores.

“Thanks for reaching out, Christy. We will tell our leadership about your request that we remove these items from our shelves. We appreciate your feedback,” wrote Kroger’s Twitter.

“Thanks for reaching out, said Harris Teeter. “As soon as these items were brought to our attention we put a recall request into place and these items are being removed from all store locations. We appreciate your concern.”

The backlash then came from people who were in favor of the items. “Are you serious? This is a stupid response. Not shopping at Kroger anymore for being anti-American,” said a Twitter user.

Thanks for reaching out, Scarlett. As soon as these items were brought to our attention we put a recall request into place and these items are being removed from all store locations. We appreciate your concern.

— Harris Teeter (@HarrisTeeter) June 20, 2022

Thanks for reaching out, Christy. We will tell our leadership about your request that we remove these items from our shelves. We appreciate your feedback.

— Kroger (@kroger) June 20, 2022