Social media figurehead Kim Kardashian has kicked up a storm after promoting an appetite-suppressing lollipop on her Instagram channel.

The text of the post reads: “#ad, You guys, @flattummyco just dropped a new product. They're Appetite Suppressant Lollipops and they're literally unreal. They're giving the first 500 people on their website 15% OFF so if you want to get your hands on some...you need to do it quick! #suckit”

Critics have labelled her as irresponsible for promoting appetite suppressants, which could be potentially harmful for those already struggling with eating disorders.

Kardashian has since removed the post, although at the time of writing it remains viewable as an Instagram Story.

Body image

"Eating disorders are mental illnesses with complex causes, so it is unlikely that this product would be the sole and direct reason for someone developing one,” Tom Quinn of eating disorder charity Beat told The Telegraph.

“However, we know that appetite suppressants are used by people with restrictive eating disorders like anorexia, and feel it is harmful to widely distribute and promote such products.”

British actress Jameela Jamil was more direct in her criticism: "No. F*** off. No. You terrible and toxic influence on young girls. I admire their mother’s branding capabilities, she is an exploitative but innovative genius, however this family makes me feel actual despair over what women are reduced to."

The lollipops are manufactured by Flat Tummy Co, which has also used Instagram influencers to market ‘detoxifying’ teas. It has previously fallen foul of the Advertising Standards Agency after an Instagram campaign with Shore's Sophie Kasaei which falsely claimed one of their products could reduce ‘water weight’.

No. Fuck off. No. You terrible and toxic influence on young girls. I admire their mother’s branding capabilities, she is an exploitative but innovative genius, however this family makes me feel actual despair over what women are reduced to. ☹️ pic.twitter.com/zDPN1T8sBM

— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) May 16, 2018

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