Walmart Just Pulled This Item After Backlash

Walmart is a retail store known for its rollback pricing and back-to-school specials. They often release special limited edition food items and holiday fare. Remember the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake ice cream pints sold during the holidays?

Well, the billion-dollar company is at it again, but this time they're receiving significant backlash. Photos of Walmart's newly released ice cream treat surfaced on the internet, and people aren't happy. The ice cream, consisting of a red velvet and cheesecake ripple, was intended to commemorate Juneteenth and received backlash on social media, accusing the retail chain of profiting off the holiday as well as copying one Black-owned ice cream company's flavor.

The label of the frozen treat read, "Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation, and enduring hope." In addition to the controversial ice cream, Walmart also released a plethora of Juneteenth merchandise this year, including party decorations.

The company released a statement to FOX Television Stations in response to the reports that the ice cream is no longer available at any Walmart stores. It said: "Juneteenth holiday marks a celebration of freedom and independence…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."

Eat This, Not That! reached out to Walmart for more information, and was given the same statement.

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Juneteenth National Independence Day was created in 2021 when President Biden signed a bill declaring this day a national holiday. It received some backlash from prominent Black people saying that making Juneteenth a holiday wasn't enough.

The day commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers delivered the news of freedom to the enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. This date was two months after the Confederacy had surrendered and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in the Southern states.

Juneteenth isn't a new holiday. In 1865, Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger announced in Galveston that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed Texan enslaved people. Large celebrations ensued in Galveston, and throughout the years, each Texas town developed its own traditions of celebration.

This isn't the only item not available at your local Walmart store right now. Costco, Walmart, and Other Stores Just Pulled More of This Peanut Butter From Shelves.