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Kroger has responded after receiving significant backlash over a TikToker’s criticism of their underwhelming Juneteenth desserts at a Georgia store. A viral video exposed cakes and cookies with questionable designs and phrases, such as “Free @ Last” and “Free.” The deserts sparked outrage on social media, prompting Kroger to respond and make some swift changes.
On Wednesday, June 18, a TikToker by the name of @blaq.monalisa set the internet ablaze after sharing a video showing Krogers Juneteenth desserts at a store in Atlanta, Georgia. She zoomed in on the cake area, revealing some questionable desserts on display. One cake had frosting only around the edges with the words “Free @ Last” scribbled in the middle. Another had “June 19 Free” written on it, while a third was decorated with whipped cream on the edges, with “Free” in the center.
The TikToker compared the Juneteenth items with the regular cakes across the aisle, which she thought looked far more polished and appealing. The TikTokker also questioned why the Juneteenth desserts, meant to celebrate the holiday, seemed to lack effort.
“This is some bulls**t.Who the hell made this ugly** a**t.” the TikToker says in the clip.“I wish there was a manager here, y’all decorate everything else around here cute. But on Juneteenth you want to throw something on a cookie cake and expect someone to buy it.”
The video lit up the internet, with a bunch of folks on social media backing the TikToker’s take and calling out Kroger for the display. Peep some of the reactions below in the comment section of her post below
@lil_nicki.xx wrote, Its giving here damn
@rougarou451 wrote, its just never good enough with these people ever
@user981740 wrote, as a ex cake decorator they did that on purpose.
@quartz_air3 wrote, The singular ‘FREE’ not even in cute writing. WILDDD
@impgod4 wrote, I wud’ve took the one that said FREE & walk rite out the door
@yoshiiiyoshiii wrote, It’s giving 2022 Walmart’s Juneteenth ‘It’s the Freedom for Me’ paper plates. ”
@doddlemom1960 wrote, I agree with that it is unacceptable, they need to be held accountable for that, Kroger should be ashamed!!!”
_raeondabeat shared, I am HOLLERING not free @ last”
Kroger didnt waste time addressing the criticism thrown their way. In a statement to PEOPLE, the company admitted the desserts were outta pocket. Additionally, Kroger agreed to have them removed as soon as possible. The grocery chain confirmed they pulled the products from the shelves and reached out to the store teams and the TikToker directly to address the issue.
“The cakes and cookies that were featured in the video were inconsistent with our provided guidance and not of the quality we would expect to see from our stores,” Kroger said.
Tiktoker @blaq.monalisa wasnt done spilling the tea, though. The day after her video went viral, she returned to the same Kroger and noticed a big change. The Juneteenth cakes? Gone. The Juneteenth cookies? Also gone. “They removed the cookie cakes, or I guess someone purchased them! she captioned her follow-up post. In the update, she said she was still slightly side-eyeing the store for not replacing the controversial cookie with better options. But, she seemingly gave Kroger some grace for their other themed desserts.
