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"What the hell, @Forever21 ??" a shopper tweeted. "Not only is this incredibly fatphobic, but sending diet bars unsolicited is down right harmful to the customers & could negatively impact anyone with a ED."
Forever 21 has issued a statement following the backlash they received for sending Atkins diet bars to customers.
Over the weekend, shoppers blasted the clothing retailer on Twitter, posting photos of the freebies they received with their online orders. The topic quickly became trending as people, especially plus size women, accused F21 of fat-shaming for sending the diet bars.
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View StoryOn Wednesday, Forever 21 apologized for sending the "surprises" with the customer online orders. The fashion brand said they have since removed the freebie items.
"From time to time, Forever 21 surprises our customers with free test products from third parties in their e-commerce orders," the company said in a statement to E! News. "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."
The message continued, "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."
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View StoryForever 21's apology comes after people railed the online retailer on Twitter. At first, many people believed the diet bars came with just plus size orders, but it was confirmed the Atkins products were packaged in all types of orders.
"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," a user wrote. "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?"
"Forever 21 is sending diet bars with clothes you order," another person added. "that's so insensitive holy crap like.... how about we don't make someone negatively reflect on their body image when trying to just order some new outfits ? ????"
"What the hell, @Forever21 ??" a shopper tweeted. "Not only is this incredibly fatphobic, but sending diet bars unsolicited is down right harmful to the customers & could negatively impact anyone with a ED. This is beyond disgusting. Stop forcing diet culture down peoples throats."
See more tweets below.
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
@jessemarisaelao
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
@MissGirlGames
FOREVER21 SHOULDNT BE SENDING DIET BARS TO LITERALLY ANYONE. my problem was not if it was only plus size (by the look of their stores I figured their business is not smart enough to target just one demographic)my problem is why are you pushing a diet bar on your customers AT ALL. https://t.co/CJIved0SWV
@jazzmynejay
Forever 21 is sending diet bars with clothes you order and that's so insensitive holy crap like.... how about we don't make someone negatively reflect on their body image when trying to just order some new outfits ? ????
@taylorndean
If this is indeed a brand partnership between you @Forever21 + Atkins I'd strongly suggest you reevaluate it Not only is it coming off as discriminatory but it isn't even rolled out well - Its completely catching customers off guard with distasteful implied message to lose weight
@bronze_bombSHEL
I ordered smalls and mediums. It isn't plus size orders they are targeting. Can y'all find something better to do than make up stuff? #forever21 pic.twitter.com/5FjqHysAAf
@maybeitsmikell
Regardless of them sending it to every customer.... still what a shitty feeling even if you're a size zero.
@Nawlines504
Like oh let me order these cute clothes. 💥 weight loss bars ➡️ anxiety ➡️ am I not pretty enough
Like this is just a poor promo especially in today's society. #forever21
What the hell, @Forever21?? Not only is this incredibly fatphobic, but sending diet bars unsolicited is down right harmful to the customers & could negatively impact anyone with a ED. This is beyond disgusting. Stop forcing diet culture down peoples throats. https://t.co/c9wovKs6w8
@thefatauthor
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