California's 'Made in California' site omits white male owner filters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 01:08 · Archive

A state website promoting California-made products offers search filters for businesses owned by women, minorities and other groups, but not for white or male-owned businesses.

California's 'Made in California' website, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom and managed by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, allows buyers to search for locally made products by business ownership categories. The site offers filters for Black-owned, Hispanic-owned, Asian-owned, LGBTQ-owned, Native American-owned, Pacific Islander-owned, veteran-owned and woman-owned businesses. There are no search filters for white-owned or male-owned businesses.

The omission has attracted criticism from conservative activists. Christopher Rufo pointed out the exclusion on social media, and entrepreneur Will Fry told Fox News that 'support local business is not exactly the same thing as support the minority you like the most'. The program is designed to help consumers and corporate buyers find products manufactured in California. Products must have at least 51% of their wholesale value added within the state to qualify. Certified businesses can appear in the official directory and use the 'Made in California' seal on packaging and marketing materials.

The missing filters do not bar white or male-owned businesses from participating in the program. However, some social media users called for legal action over the omissions, with one suggesting the site should be 'sued for discrimination'.

How it is being reported

• Made in California business directory lets buyers filter by identity but excludes White menThe state-run Made in California business directory sparked backlash by excluding White and male as owner identity categories on the website.Fox News · 16 Oct, 00:38
• ‘Made in California’ site selling homegrown product accused of racial ignoranceA new “Made in California” website selling locally made products allows buyers to search for goods from brands operated by women, minorities and a host of other groups.New York Post · 15 Oct, 03:49

In this story: Gavin Newsom · Christopher Rufo · California · California Office of the Small Business Advocate

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