A leading British supermarket chain was left with egg on its face when it got muddled over the meaning of Easter in an advert to promote chocolate egg sales, the Times reported on Wednesday.
The Somerfield chain, quoting a survey, said in a press release that while Britons were planning to spend millions on Easter eggs, many young people did not even know the meaning of the Christian festival.
Handing out Easter eggs symbolises ”the birth of Jesus”, explained Somerfield in its original release, which was later corrected to read ”the rebirth” of Christ.
A final, third press release, drafted after consultation with the Church of England, said Easter celebrated the resurrection of Christ.
”We spoke to the Church of England press office, who suggested we use the word ‘resurrection’, in keeping with the church’s teaching,” said a Somerfield spokesperson.
Ben Wilson, from the Church of England press office, said about the Somerfield release: ”It was a genuine mistake, if rather unfortunate.” — Sapa-dpa