Amazon has been criticised for allowing a hoddie emblazoned with a line that critics say downplays the seriousness of eating disorders to be sold on its site.
The women’s hoddie, sold by retailer ArturoBuch for $25.88, is emblazoned with the line: “anorexia. Like Bulimia, but with self-control”. It is currently being sold to US customers.
Anorexia sufferer Beth Grant, speaking on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, called the item “absolutely disgraceful” and said it could be extremely damaging for anyone suffering from either bulimia or anorexia. Ms Grant added that to make a meme about eating disorders was irresponsible.
The hoddie is from a US third-party seller and cannot be shipped to the UK.
On the Amazon seller’s page, critics expressed their outrage and called for the hoddie to be removed. One Amazon user wrote: “Eating disorders are mental illnesses and nothing to laugh about.”
Another commented: “Remove this product. These are life threatening conditions and this is not funny, it is disgusting.”
Twitter users pointed to other clothing items sold on Amazon that they say diminish the seriousness of mental illnesses. One example given was a t-shirt sold by a company called Rowfers, printed with the line: “It wasn't my fault the voices made me do it.".
They also pointed to women’s and men’s t-shirts listed by a seller called Best Friends Tshirts, emblazoned with the slogan: “Blondes make the best psychos”.
A spokesperson for Amazon in the UK declined to comment.
