Heinz apologizes after QR code on bottle took man to porn site.
Heinz had run a special promotion on bottles between 2012 and 2014 with a QR code enabling consumers to design their own label.
However, after the promotion ended, a German porn site took over the URL, meaning that consumers who scan it are at-risk of getting more than they bargained for.
Heinz apologized to the customer on Facebook and said, “We really regret the event very much, and we’re happy to take your suggestions for how we implement future campaigns on board,” according to a German news site.
It is unclear how many bottles were printed with the QR code and whether they are still for sale.
“Heinz in Germany has apologized for the way in which an out-of-date QR code and website link to design a Ketchup label in 2014 has been reassigned to an adult content site,” a Heinz spokesperson said. “Clearly this was never our intention, and we are taking steps to avoid this reoccurring.”
Agencies/Canadajournal