Walmart will pull its Juneteenth ice cream following a backlash on social media.

Pictures of the ice cream, a swirled pink velvet and cheesecake taste, sparked a wave of criticism after they started circulating on social media earlier this week.

"Share and have a good time African-American tradition, emancipation and enduring hope," the blurb for Walmart's Juneteenth-themed ice cream mentioned.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865—the day Union troopers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to carry the information of freedom to enslaved Black individuals in Galveston, Texas, greater than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The day was made a federal vacation final yr.

Critics referred to as out Walmart, accusing the corporate of capitalizing on Juneteenth to promote merchandise and questioned what it was doing to assist the Black neighborhood. A journalist additionally inquired why the phrase "Juneteenth" had been trademarked on the ice cream.

Walmart has since apologized and mentioned it is going to take away the merchandise from retailer cabinets.

"Juneteenth vacation marks a celebration of freedom and independence," Walmart mentioned in an announcement to Fox. "Nonetheless, we obtained suggestions that a couple of objects triggered concern for a few of our clients and we sincerely apologize. We're reviewing our assortment and can take away objects as applicable."

Among the many critics was comic Roy Wooden Jr., who shared photos of Walmart's Juneteenth merchandise on Twitter and wrote: "Would you want some Juneteenth Ice cream on a Juneteenth plate as you sip your beer in a Juneteenth Koozie?"

Some customers on social media urged clients to buy Creamalicious ice cream as an alternative, noting it's a Black-owned model on sale at Walmart that contains a pink velvet cheesecake taste in its line of merchandise.

"In case you're at Walmart and also you're interested by shopping for the one on the left," a Twitter consumer wrote alongside photos of Walmart's Juneteeth ice cream and the Creamalicious model.

"Take a couple of seconds to search for and purchase the one on the precise. They're the identical taste besides Creamalicious Ice Lotions is black owned."

Amber Sherman wrote: "Walmart actually noticed a profitable small Black enterprise and thought they might get away with stealing their taste and re-branding it for Juneteenth. Anyhow, Creamalicious is offered at Goal."

One other Twitter consumer mentioned Creamalicious is "arms down one of the crucial scrumptious ice cream manufacturers I've ever had and completely price each little bit of the worth."

Walmart and Creamalicious have been contacted for additional remark.

Walmart Juneteenth
Juneteenth. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Sixteenth president of america. Roy Wooden Jr. speaks onstage on the twenty sixth Annual Webby Awards on Could 16, 2022 in New York Metropolis.Getty