Macy's removes portion-control plates after complaints they promoted 'fat shaming,' eating disorders

Department store Macy's came under fire over the weekend for what critics claimed were "fat-shaming" decorative dinner plates.

The controversial dinnerware are adorned with different portion-control rings with descriptions such as "mom jeans" and "skinny jeans."

Critics claimed the plates shame overweight people and offend those who struggle with eating disorders.

"Macy's just casually promoting eating disorders and body shaming. MOM JEANS FOREVER," one critic said.

"Nothing like promoting fat shaming and food guilt. Who makes these plates?" another said.

Eater, a food-dedicated news website, claimed the plates "express our national past time of critiquing women's bodies."

But not everyone was outraged. In fact, podcast host Alie Ward, whose tweet about the plates went viral, was widely mocked for requesting Macy's banish a product from its stores simply because she did not like it.

How did Macy's respond?

The company announced it would remove the plates from all Macy's stores.

"Hi, Alie — we appreciate you sharing this with us and agree that we missed the mark on this product. It will be removed from all STORY at Macy's locations," Macy's wrote in response to Ward.

Pourtions, the company that makes the dinnerware, told TIME magazine the plates were meant to be "lighthearted."

"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 is intended to support healthy eating and drinking," the company said. "Everyone who has appreciated Pourtions knows that it can be tough sometimes to be as mindful and moderate in our eating and drinking as we'd like, but that a gentle reminder can make a difference. That was all we ever meant to encourage."