Lidl slammed for airbrushing Christian symbols and landmarks from packaging to not offend other faiths
Budget retailer provokes storm by altering image of iconic Greek church
BUDGET supermarket Lidl is facing a backlash after airbrushing Christian symbols from packaging in order to remain “religiously neutral”.
The chain's new Greek food range features the iconic Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece.
But eagle-eyed customers have spotted the crosses that sit on the top of its iconic blue dome roofs have been removed.
Shoppers have flocked to Lidl UK's Facebook page to express their "dismay" and "disappointment" over the alteration.
Daniel Novak wrote: "I'm highly disappointed in a company that is bending over to cater to specific people. Why are you hiding from the history?
";We are all to learn from history, removing it with photoshop will cause the same mistakes of the past to be done over and over again."
Steve West added: "Why have you taken the crosses off the top of Greek churches in your advertising?
"Is there somebody you will think takes 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."
Meanwhile, Carol Anne Thurley, a member of the Facebook group Grecofile, wrote: "To us it seems rather pathetic and an offence to Greeks and those of us who love Greece."
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The Eridanous range features Greek delicacies such as Moussaka, yogurt and gyros.
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 policy.
A Lidl spokesperson said: “We have been selling our highly popular Eridanous own-label range in Lidl stores across Europe for over 10 years now, and in that time the design of the packaging has been through a number of updates.
“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.
“In light of this we will ensure that all feedback is taken into consideration when redesigning future packaging.”
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