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Ketchup calamity: Heinz apologizes for QR code linked to porn site

heinz sorry for qr code linked to porn site ketchup
Thinglass / Shutterstock
QR codes, eh. When you scan one, you never quite know what you’re going to get. That can certainly be said for Daniel Korell, who recently scanned a code on the back of a Heinz ketchup bottle in the belief he’d be taken to a website where he could design and order his own ketchup bottle label.

However, to his surprise, he instead landed on a page full of sex. That’s right, a full-fledged porn site. One called FunDorado.

So how exactly did that happen?

Well, according to German news site Bild, the QR code did once link to a Heinz website, one where you could indeed design your own label and have it sent to you on a ketchup bottle. However, unbeknown to Korell, the two-year promotion ended in 2014. And that’s where the trouble began.

The food giant didn’t keep hold of the domain, and at some point between then and now, FunDorado took it over, filling it with all manner of material that presumably had Korell turning a shade of red deeper than the contents of one of Heinz’s very own bottles of ketchup. Unless he’s big into porn, that is.

Apparently disappointed to be faced with matters of the flesh rather than a helpful instructional page on how to design and create an appealing food label, the German citizen headed to his Facebook page to voice his displeasure.

His main gripe was that a company as big as Heinz hadn’t had the sense to spend out a few bucks to keep hold of the domain for a couple more years following the end of the promotion. His other concern was that a child could scan the code and get a lesson in human relations that really could wait a few years.

After reading Korell’s complaint, Heinz said sorry and offered him a free bottle of ketchup, complete with that all-important custom designed label.

Meanwhile, FunDorado – clearly not one to miss a trick – told Korell he could have a year’s free subscription to the porn site.

It’s not known if he’s taken up the offer.

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Trevor Mogg
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