US company forced to apologize for snowflakes on candles resembling the Ku Klux Klan (2 photos)

It turned out that the design on the Christmas candles reminded someone on social media of the hoods of a famous racist organization.





The American company Bath and Body Works has stopped selling a candle decorated with a winter pattern, which many commentators on the Internet compared to a Ku Klux Klan hood. Although it was supposed to be a silhouette of a paper snowflake.

The label of the candle called "Snowed In" was decorated with a stylized paper snowflake. But many people on social media compared it to the hoods and robes worn by members of the Ku Klux Klan. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the KKK is one of the "oldest and most notorious" hate groups in the United States. The Anti-Defamation League says the image of the KKK hood has itself become a symbol of hate.

The candle has since been pulled from Bath and Body Works' website and retail locations, with the company telling CNN in a statement that the design was "unintentional."



"At Bath and Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers and are committed to correcting any mistakes we make, even those that are unintentional like this. We apologize to anyone we have offended," the company said.

Some people who tried to order the candle after the controversy erupted late last week have reported on social media that their orders have been cancelled.

However, the controversial candles are still available on eBay, where they start at $350.

Also on social media were photos from the factory where they tear off a bad sticker from a candle to replace it with a new one.



Candles are the main product of the Bath and Body Works collection, which previously started with soaps and body lotions. Each year, the retailer releases its own collection of holiday scented candles, which, according to the analyst, make up almost 40% of annual sales.