New York
CNN
—

Bath and Body Works has stopped selling a candle decorated with a winter theme that many commentators online compared to a Ku Klux Klan hood.

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 Klansmen. 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 images of the KKK hood have themselves become a hate symbol.

The candle has since been removed 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 committed to fixing any mistakes we make, even if they are unintentional, like this one,” a spokesperson said. “We apologize to anyone we offended and are working quickly to have this item removed and will evaluate our process going forward.”

Commenters on Reddit jumped on the design choice, calling it a “klandle” or a “Klan Krismas Kandle.” Some people who tried to order the candle after the controversy broke out late last week said on social media that their orders had been canceled.

However, the canceled candle has appeared on eBay, with one person trying to sell the candle for $350. The company did not respond to a request for comment.

Candles are an important part of the Bath and Body Works collection, which has evolved beyond just soaps and lotions. Every year the retailer releases its collection of Christmas scented candles, which, according to an analyst, represent almost 40% of annual turnover.