Social media users are condemning the use of a silhouette of an Asian woman on a meat product sold at stores across the United States.
With its suggestive name “Meat District,” the line of burger products from food manufacturing company Golden West Food Group is being criticized for perpetuating racial stereotypes in the branding of one of its labels.
The particular product in question is the “Kanpai burger,” a type of patty made with American wagyu beef.
The use of a silhouette of an apparent geisha on meat products captured the attention of a Costco shopper who posted a photo of it on Twitter. Geishas are traditional female Japanese entertainers thought to have come about in 17th century Japan.
“WTH is this @Costco?” wrote Twitter user @Skylarking77. “Not a good look for your stores. Pull it.”
“Wow @costco,” added user @tituslam. “Blatantly feeding deep-seeded, racist stereotypes that discriminate against and sexualize Asian women. Very disappointed in you. Take this down. Diversify your product buying team. Do better.”
Golden West Food Group, which launched the “Meat District” line in February, touted how the variety of their burgers would provide choices for their consumers.
“Grocery shoppers will realize they have a lot more choices when it comes to burgers and will enjoy discovering all the different and flavorful ways they can indulge in one of their favorite foods — the great American burger,” Meat District chief operating officer Zack Levenson said in a statement.
NextShark has reached out to Golden West Food Group and Levenson for further comment on the product. This is a developing story.
Feature Image via @Skylarking77
