Freedom-touting items cause a stir at Harris Teeter, Kroger

Kroger Co., the nation’s largest traditional supermarket chain, said on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, that it is buying the regional grocer Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. This Kroger store is in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)A pair of grocery stores decided to pull beer koozies and other items depicting eagles and Thomas Jefferson wielding a military-style weapon after customers complained about the patriotic messages in the wake of mass shootings.

One customer complained to Harris Teeter about Freedom Series items that said “Give me liberty or give me death” and “America, love it or leave it.”

The store said it put a recall request in place once the customer brought it to their attention.

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