Krispy Kreme offered free doughnuts to people who get COVID vaccinations. It led to some strange backlash.
Joe Raedle / Getty Images
- Krispy Kreme is giving out free doughnuts to people with vaccine cards.
- Some people on Twitter reacted negatively to the offer, pointing out the health effects.
- Others called out those initial posts for missing the point and being fatphobic.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Krispy Kreme announced it would give out a free glazed doughnut to anyone with a COVID-19 vaccination card beginning on March 22. And it was met with an almost immediate - and unexpected - backlash on the internet.
Most criticisms of the donut chain's offer centered on the potential for a vaccinated person to get a free doughnut every day for the rest of the year, or nearly 300 doughnuts. Many of the critics were doctors, or people with large social media followings.
-Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) March 24, 2021
Former Planned Parenthood president Dr. Leana Wen tweeted about Krispy Kreme's campaign, writing that a person who ate a doughnut every day without making other lifestyle changes could gain 15 lbs. by the end of the year.
Others pointed out that obesity is a risk factor for COVID-19, and eating doughnuts every day could lead to obesity. At one point "obesity" was a trending topic on Twitter.
-Bridget Phetasy (@BridgetPhetasy) March 22, 2021
-Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) March 22, 2021
-Daniel Kraft, MD (@daniel_kraft) March 22, 2021
While some Twitter users with big followings criticized Krispy Kreme, the majority of tweets called out those initial critiques.
-Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) March 24, 2021
-Omnintensivist (@GoodishIntent) March 24, 2021
-????????️????????✨Catherine Young (@battymamzelle) March 24, 2021
Krispy Kreme has largely avoided commenting on the debate, except to note that people don't need to get a doughnut every day, and many won't be eligible for months anyway.
"Like many sweet treats, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are an occasional indulgence best enjoyed in moderation. And we know that's how most of our guests enjoy our doughnuts. We're certainly not asking people to get a free Original Glazed doughnut every day, we're just making it available through the end of the year, especially given that not every group is eligible to get vaccinated yet" the company said in a statement to Insider.
Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.