Bath & Body Works apologizes after online users compare candle to Ku Klux Klan outfits

A popular retailer has been forced to apologize after one of its holiday -themed candles was compared to the infamous Ku Klux Klan.

Bath & Body Works had to pull the item from its shelves after people online highlighted it label being similar to that of the white hoods in the White supremacist group . The company, which is based in Columbus, Ohio , is known for its fragrance and home products - including the "Snowed In" item which has come under fire.

It comes after the label on the candle has mistakenly drawn comparisons to the racist group that was formed after the Civil War.

• Best Halloween buckets from Spirit Halloween, Walmart and Amazon
• Shoppers threaten to boycott Walmart over 'disappointing' payment method

It features a close-up shot of a snowflake, highlighting the winter theme of the product, and is set with a maroon-like background. But some social media users pointed out an embarrassing oversight, saying the snowflake looks like several of the white-shaped hoods the group wears with two eye holes in each, the NY Post reports .

A spokesman said: “At Bath & Body Works, we are committed to listening to our teams and customers and committed to fixing any mistakes we make-even those that are unintentional like this one. We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and are evaluating our process going forward.”

It didn't take long for the people online to make jokes about the blunder, with some users referring to the candle as "klandle", while others were left baffled at how the item made its way onto store shelves. One person on X, formerly Twitter, said: “This isn’t just a branding mistake; it’s a reminder of how sensitive cultural symbols can be. Let’s hope they take this as a lesson in awareness and responsibility.”

While others have complained about those being easily offended at the candle, adding: “What this is a reminder of is how utterly ridiculous hyper-offended people can be and how they see ‘ racism ’ in absolutely everything. I miss the days when fools like that were laughed at and ignored."

Bath & Body Works was funded in 1990 and became an independent public company in August 2021. It currently has more than 1,850 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the US and Canada , according to its website.