Clothing retailer issues apology after sending diet bars along with customers’ orders

Forever 21 issued an apology after some of its online customers placing clothing orders received diet bars with their packages.

What are the details?

The fashion retailer eked out an uncomfortable apology after some of its customers flooded social media with stories of receiving meal replacement bars in orders — some of which happened to include plus-size women's items.

In a Wednesday statement, the popular retailer said that the bars — Atkins diet bars, to be specific — were part of a campaign agreement between the companies.

"From time to time, Forever 21 surprises our customers with free test products from third parties in their e-commerce orders," the statement, provided to People magazine, read. "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."

According to People, the company has removed all of the Atkins bars from all future shipments. The company did not remark on whether it plans to partner in the future with Atkins.

What was the reaction?

Many social media users took to their respective platforms to blast the company for size-shaming and sending a negative message with the inclusion of the diet bars with clothing shipments.

One user wrote, "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?"

Another added, "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."