6 controversial products that were criticized for profiting off of tragedies

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These products sparked major controversy.

• Controversy tends to follow products, businesses, and marketing campaigns that reference major tragedies.
• That hasn't stopped some companies from trying to link their wares to everything from the sinking of the Titanic to 9/11.
• These controversial moves tend to stoke outrage from consumers.

Controversy typically ensues when companies use references to tragedies to hawk products or services.

But that hasn't stopped some brands from tying their products to disasters like the sinking of the Titanic, the September 11 terror attacks, and the Holocaust.

New York Times chief fashion critic Vanessa Friedman noted the surge of memorabilia that tends to follow mass casualty events, like the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre or the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

She wrote that, while there are vendors out there who are simply trying to capitalize on tragedy, "ultimately the power to decide what is right or wrong lies with the buyer. Everybody needs to consider it for themselves."

Here's a look at a number of products that sparked controversy by seemingly referencing well-known tragedies, and what happened when consumers spoke out: