Chick-Fil-A Says It Recalled Muppets One Day Before the Muppets' Pro-Gay Stance

Associated Press
Eric Randall 11,669 Views Jul 24, 2012

Ask Jim Henson Company why they're no longer partnering with Chick-fil-A and they'll cite the restaurant president's views on homosexuality, but ask Chick-fil-A why the Muppet toys are no longer for sale and they'll blame "potential safety concerns." Tiffany Greenway, a Chick-fil-A spokeswoman, tells The Atlantic Wire that the food chain decided to stop handing out the toys, explaining, "I can confirm that it is true that Chick-fil-A voluntarily withdrew the Jim Henson kids meal toys nationwide because of a potential safety concern. This is unrelated to the Jim Henson announcement." She is referring to the Jim Henson Company's announcement on Facebook on July 20 that given Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy's comments that "we are inviting God's judgment on our nation," by redefining marriage they "do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors" and they were donating the money Chick-fil-A paid them to GLAAD. 

On Tuesday the Facebook group "Wipe out Homophobia" group posted a photo of this Chick-fil-A sign which says the toys had a "possible safety issue" but "there have not been any cases in which a child has actually been injured." That explanation was met with some skepticism from some people who thought Chick-fil-A was looking to avoid explaining to children why the Muppets no longer liked them any more -- an admittedly complicated conversation. Jim Henson Company spokesperson Nicole Goldman said she had no comment on Chick-fil-A's recall or its timing. But for Chick-fil-A's part, Greenway said the company decided to pull the Muppet toys in July 19, one day before the Henson Company said they were parting ways with the fast-food chain.

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