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Forever 21 customers are furious with the clothing brand.
According to reports, customers claim that the fast-fashion retailer samples of Atkins diet bars along with their recent online orders of plus-size merchandise. Shoppers shared photos of the low-carb, lemon-flavored bars along with their purchases as they called out the brand for their insensitive “fatphobic” move.
One twitter user wrote:
“My mom ordered some clothes from @Forever21 ‘s plus-size collection and they sent an Atkins diet bar along with the stuff she ordered.”
my mom ordered some clothes from @Forever21 ‘s plus size collection and they sent a Atkins diet bar along with the stuff she ordered pic.twitter.com/Lxi6XnuOB1
— jesse (@jessemarisaelao) July 19, 2019
“I went from a size 24 to 18, still a plus size girl, so I ordered jeans from @Forever21 Opened the package, when I looked inside I see this Atkins bar, What are you trying to Tell me Forever 21, I’m FAT, LOSE WEIGHT?” another commenter tweeted. “Do you give these to NON-PLUS SIZE WOMEN as well?”
I went from a size 24 to 18, still a plus size girl, so I ordered jeans from @Forever21 Opened the package, when I looked inside I see this Atkins bar. What are you trying to Tell me Forever 21, I’m FAT, LOSE WEIGHT? do you give these to NON-PLUS SIZE WOMEN as well? pic.twitter.com/ds8kUTs7T7
— MissGG(@MissGirlGames) July 19, 2019
Forever 21 released a statement apologizing. They also stated that they sent free diet bar sample with all orders and sizes.
“From time to time, Forever 21 surprises our customers with free test products from third parties in their e-commerce orders,” the company said. “The freebie items in question were included in all online orders, across all sizes and categories, for a limited time and have since been removed. This was an oversight on our part and we sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused to our customers, as this was not our intention in any way.”
Others on social media confirmed the bars were sent with all online orders — not just to plus-size customers.
Atkins released a statement saying its products are meant to help people achieve “overall health and well being.”
“Our brand evolution is reflected in the current marketing efforts to highlight the health benefits of eating a low carb/low sugar Atkins lifestyle, with a portfolio of nutritious and delicious snacks for everyone.”