The portion control circles on the plates were labeled from “skinny jeans,” the smallest circle, to “favorite jeans” and then “mom jeans,” the largest circle.
The plates started trending on social media after science reporter Alie Ward asked, "How can I get these plates from Macy's banned in all 50 states?" the Huffington Post reported.
"I wasn't being literal at all in terms of a legal 'ban,'" Ward told the publication.
How can I get these plates from @Macys banned in all 50 states pic.twitter.com/1spntAluVl
— Alie Ward (@alieward) July 21, 2019
She said she was trying to get the retailer’s attention to let it “know that what they carry and display matters, it can hurt people, and they’re accountable for it,” she said.
Macy’s did respond to Ward saying it had “missed the mark” with the plates and would pull the line from its stores.
The company that makes the plates, Pourtions, said it never intended the plates as a "hurtful" message, The Hill reported.
"As the creators of Pourtions, we feel badly if what was meant to be a lighthearted take on the important issue of portion control was hurtful to anyone," Pourtions president Mary Cassidy told The Hill.
Cassidy said the plates were meant as a “gentle reminder” to be conscious of eating moderately.
"That was all we ever meant to encourage," Cassidy said.
Macy's has removed plates advocating portion control from their stores after many people spoke out on Twitter, arguing that they were "casually promoting eating disorders and body shaming."
— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna) July 22, 2019
The brand apologized and said they "missed the mark."https://t.co/GF3rhTUYdO
— Jessy (@Jessy18984330) July 22, 2019
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