Walmart recalls ice cream commemorating Juneteenth after receiving a heavy backlash

Urooba Jamal
·2 min read
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Walmart storefront
Walmart told local Fox stations that it "sincerely apologized for items that had caused concern" for some of its customers.Kena Betancur/VIEWpress via Getty Images

  • Walmart has faced heavy criticism over a Juneteenth-related ice-cream product.

  • The retailer has pulled the ice cream from shelves and issued an apology.

  • Roy Wood Jr. was among those ridiculing the product for appearing to capitalize on the holiday.

Walmart is removing from shelves an ice-cream product that commemorated Juneteenth, a US holiday that marks the freedom of enslaved African Americans.

The local outlet Fox 7 Austin first reported the news.

Social media was abuzz with comments from users who were angered by the product, which featured a swirl of red velvet and cheesecake flavors. Many criticized the company for appearing to capitalize on the holiday and its history.

"Juneteenth holiday marks a celebration of freedom and independence," Walmart said in a statement to Insider. "However, we received feedback that a few items caused concern for some of our customers and we sincerely apologize. We are reviewing our assortment and will remove items as appropriate."

Last year, President Joe Biden enacted a law to make Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19, a federal holiday. The holiday has been celebrated since the late 1800s and recognized in most US states. But the push to make it a federal holiday gained momentum following protests in response to George Floyd's murder by a white police officer.

Social-media images show that Walmart's label on the ice-cream read: "Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope."

The comedian Roy Wood Jr. was among those who ridiculed the ice cream. "Would you like some Juneteenth Ice cream on a Juneteenth plate as you sip your beer in a Juneteenth Koozie?" he tweeted.

Read the original article on Business Insider