Forever 21 came under fire after customers complained that they received diet bars packed in with their plus-size clothing orders.
The matter first came to light around July 19 when plus-size customers took to Twitter.com to complain that they were sent unsolicited Atkins diet bars with their orders.
“Hey @forever21 do you include weightloss Atkin bars in all your shipments or just in the ones for ladies over 1X?” wrote a Forever 21 customer [sic].
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
Another Twitter user posted photos of the Atkins diets bars she received in her order.
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
And a third user blasted Forever 21 for being “fatphobic” and fat shaming their calorically challenged customers.
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
— Shelby Ivey Christie (@bronze_bombSHEL) July 23, 2019
The retailer released a statement simply stating that the Atkins diet bars were part of a brand partnership promotion sent to every customer who ordered any size clothing.
The retailer concluded that they stopped packing diet bars in with clothing orders, and the entire controversy was much ado about nothing.
Well, that was fast: Forever 21 says it's no longer sending customers unsolicited diet bars. Also says the bars were sent to all customers (which, great), not just those ordering from plus-size collections. https://t.co/9EDZBjVe9V
— Tracy Clark-Flory (@TracyClarkFlory) July 23, 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
Updated with a statement from Forever 21. pic.twitter.com/PdY2FkU3jm
— Tracy Clark-Flory (@TracyClarkFlory) July 23, 2019
