Irony alert: Gap's 'Feed USA' bag... made in China

It's plastered with American symbols, and proceeds to go to an American charity. But it was not produced on American soil

Gap's not-really-made-in-America tote bag follows other brand embarrassments, including a "logo misstep" from two months ago.
(Image credit: Gap.com)

The irony: Gap's line of "Feed the USA" bags are heavy on patriotic fervor — designed by George W. Bush's niece, Lauren, they're "decked out with stars, stripes and maps of America on the outside." What's more, for every bag purchased, Gap donates $5 to "improve school food and nutrition education in America." The problem with this seemingly well-intentioned product? Despite marketing boasts that the items were also made in America, some of the bags in the line were manufactured in China — as their labels clearly state. Gap has since apologized for its "inaccurate messaging."

The reaction: "Oh, Gap. Like an old pair of jeans, you have been broken," says Maureen O'Connor at Gawker. First the company had to deal with a "logo misstep" two months ago, and now this. But "at least someone's feeding the Chinese kids? U-S-A! U-S-A!" This is a "frustrating" oversight on Gap's part, says Verena von Pfetten at Styleite. Also, it seems suspicious that the items in question quickly sold out on Gap's website — how "very, very coincidental."

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