Shoppers cross as Lidl airbrushes religious symbols from food packets

BUDGET supermarket Lidl is facing a backlash after airbrushing Christian symbols from packaging in order to remain “religiously neutral”.

The German chain’s Greek food range features images of the world-renowned Anastasi Church in Santorini, Greece, complete with its immediately recognisable blue dome roof.

But customers noticed that the packaging does not feature the Christian crosses that adorn the top of the dome and surrounding buildings.

Many Greek shoppers said the move was “disrespectful” towards a Greek landmark.

Shoppers have expressed their “dismay” and “disappointment” over the alteration to the images at Lidl UK’S Facebook page.

Steve West said: “Why have you taken the crosses off the top of Greek churches in your advertising? Is there somebody you will think take offence? There is. Me, Greeks and many others. I definitely won’t be using you again if you don’t reverse this policy.”

And Daisy Matthews wrote: “Why are you erasing the reality from a photo?

“If there were products from Hindu, Sikh, Jewish or Muslim countries with their symbols depicted on there, I wouldn’t have a problem buying them. As a Christian I feel really hurt, discriminated against, upset and disappointed that you have done this. If it is the case, I won’t be shopping at your store anymore.”

Customers have also pointed out that some of the Halal meat products on offer at Lidl appear to feature buildings with minarets – a piece of Islamic religious architecture.

The row has spread across Europe, with shoppers in Belgium and Germany criticising the packaging.

A spokesman for Lidl UK said: “We are extremely sorry for any offence caused by the most recent artwork and would like to reassure our customers that this is not an intentional statement. We will ensure that all feedback is taken into consideration when redesigning future packaging.”

But the Belgian arm of RTL, the European television and radio station that originally picked up the story, said it had been given a different statement.

“We are avoiding the use of religious symbols because we do not wish to exclude any religious beliefs,” it quoted a spokesman as saying. “We are a company that respects diversity and this explains the design of this packaging.”

RTL said it also received another statement after the publication of the article. “We avoid the use of religious symbols on our packaging to maintain neutrality in all religions,” said a spokesman for Lidl.

“If it has been perceived differently, we apologise to those who may have been shocked.”

Lidl UK did not respond to a request for clarification on these comments.