On Sunday, while most were toasting our dad (or just enjoying a relaxing weekend), a sticky debate was rapidly unfolding on Woolworth’s Facebook page.
Shoppers were absolutely outraged when a chocolate mud cake iced with the words “Special Person’s Day” hit the supermarket’s shelves.
A photograph of the cake was uploaded to the Woolworth’s Facebook page by a Queensland father on Sunday and was then reposted by hundreds of disappointed customers.
“Dear Woolworths, this better be a sick joke on your behalf, if not this is really disrespectful,” one wrote.
Another said: “A slap in the face to all the wonderful dads.”
“If you want to support a “Special Person’s Day”, do it on any other day! So disappointed that you would make this divisive political statement,” she added.
Another woman wrote: “A Special Person’s cake hey! Well that cake is the final straw, that now sends me off to Coles and Aldi.”
However, not everyone had the same response. Some customers welcomed the “Special Person’s Day” cake and thanked the store for encouraging inclusivity on a day that is usually reserved for people with fathers in their lives.
“Thanks for having a Special Person’s Day cake,” wrote one man.
“My mum raised me as a single parent, I choose to thank her on both mother’s and father’s [day] for the amazing job she did. I think it is great you provided an option for either people with a single parent or those who have two mums or two dads or maybe someone else altogether.”
While one woman wrote: “Well done Woolies! Supporting family’s of all shapes!”
Another said: “Good work Woolies, life isn’t black and white and not everyone has both parents with them for whatever reason.”
“I’m sure for these people days like Mothers and Father’s Day can be tough. Good work for providing choice.”
A Woolworth’s spokesperson took to Facebook to address some of the disgruntled comments, adding that the “Special Persons Cake” wasn’t the only cake available in stores for Father’s Day and that the other cakes had been cropped out of the contentious photo.
“We want to re-assure you that we’re helping all customers across Australia celebrate Father’s Day as seen from our store displays, products and recipe ideas,” they wrote.
“Cropped out of this image are a range of decorative cakes that have different messages on them, including ‘Dad’ and ‘Happy Father’s Day’.”
No matter what side of the slice you’re on, we’re sure you’ll agree that Cake Gate 2017 has really sparked the sugar cravings!
