According to Insider, Walmart is going to remove from shelves an ice cream item that celebrated Juneteenth, an American holiday honoring the emancipation of African Americans.
FOX 7 Austin in Austin, Texas was the first to break the news.
Consumers were outraged by the product, which showcased a swirl of red velvet and cheesecake flavors and expressed their dissatisfaction on social media. Numerous people ridiculed the company for appearing to turn a profit on the holiday and its importance.
“Juneteenth holiday marks a celebration of freedom and independence,” Walmart said in a statement to FOX television stations. “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.”
Outside of normal business hours, Insider requested comment from Walmart, but Walmart did not immediately respond.
President Joe Biden enacted a law last year that made Juneteenth, which occurs on June 19, a federal holiday. The majority of US states recognize the holiday, which has been celebrated since the late 1800s.
