Forever 21 blasted as 'fat-phobic' after sending free Atkins bar samples with online orders
Forever 21 has apologized for causing “offense” after being hit with accusations of fat-shaming after several plus-size shoppers say they were sent low-carb Atkins bars alongside clothing they ordered from the fast-fashion retailer online.
Many shoppers have shared photos of the bars, which boast just three grams of carbs apiece, expressing outrage and accusing the mall staple of targeting plus-size customers.
Hey @forever21 do you include weightloss Atkin bars in all your shipments or just in the ones for ladies over 1X ?? pic.twitter.com/ldajPJ81NM
— Katya (@wisekatya) July 22, 2019
YES shame on me for ordering from @Forever21 but why do they have to push diet food on me?? It came with an Atkins bar?? pic.twitter.com/l8OWoMZw5P
— chloe (@wtfxchloe) July 23, 2019
My friend bought plus size clothes from @Forever21 and they gave her a sample item... the sample item was an Atkins bar!! Are you kidding me?!? #forever21 #shopping #plussize #fahion #bodyshaming #getthisreported pic.twitter.com/F7U020LsAd
— Melody (@melodycgreen) July 21, 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? do you give these to NON-PLUS SIZE WOMEN as well? pic.twitter.com/ds8kUTs7T7
— MissGG🏳️🌈 (@MissGirlGames) July 19, 2019
While the inclusion of the Atkins samples was slammed as “fat-phobic” by upset commenters, others insisted that the bars were sent to all online customers, not merely those purchasing plus-size items. In a statement apologizing for the “oversight,” the California-based company has confirmed that the bars went to all shoppers.
“From time to time, Forever 21 surprises our customers with free test products from third parties in their e-commerce orders,” Forever 21 said in a statement provided to Shape. “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."
Some shoppers are still upset that the bars were included at all, claiming that the brand was “forcing diet culture down people’s throats” and treating teen shoppers and those with a history of eating disorders irresponsibly.
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
— Destiny ☕️✍🏼 (@thefatauthor) July 23, 2019
Also most of their customer base are teens wtf they should NOT be thinking about diets and diet culture my god
— elizabeth 🌱 • is drafting • (@ellaemmerson) July 23, 2019
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