FACT CHECK: Was A Popular Klondike Treat Discontinued Because Of Cultural Appropriation?

An image shared on Facebook allegedly shows a People Magazine report claiming Klondike’s Choco Taco was discontinued over allegations of cultural appropriation.

Verdict: False

The article is digitally altered. The original article does not make the claim featured in the post.

Fact Check:

Klondike, an ice cream product company, announced July 25 that the Choco Taco would be discontinued, according to The New York Times. The company cited “an unprecedented spike in demand” in their portfolio forcing the discontinuation, the outlet reported.

Now, a Facebook image appears to show an article from People Magazine written by Jenny Talia on July 25, about the Choco Taco titled, “Klondike’s Choco Taco Cancelled By Woke Mob After Almost 40 Years.”

“A representative for the brand confirmed to People that due to recent allegations of ‘cultural appropriation,’ the Choco Taco is no more,” the article’s sub headline read. (RELATED: FACT CHECK: Is Fanta Lemon Being Discontinued In Europe In May 2022?)

The article is digitally fabricated. Neither Klondike’s website nor its verified social media pages feature any such claim that the Choco Taco was discontinued because of cultural appropriation. No such article under the title appears on People Magazine’s website.

A similar article, titled “Klondike’s Choco Taco Discontinued After Almost 40 Years,” shares the same timestamp and image featured in the Facebook post. Allegations of cultural appropriation do not appear in the article or video. The article was written by Associate Editor at People, Antonia DeBianchi, not Talia, who is an Australian singer and comedian.

A July 28 statement posted on Klondike’s verified Facebook page about the discontinuation of the Choco Taco does not indicate that the product is being discontinued due to cultural appropriation.

Check Your Fact has reached out to Klondike’s parent company, Unilever and People for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.