Children’s snack recalled after its website caught serving porn

Supermarket chain Lidl has been recalling four types of PAW Patrol-themed snacks across the UK.

Except, the reason for the recall has got nothing to do with food contents, but the website listed on the snack’s packaging serving porn.

Produced in Canada, PAW Patrol is an animated children’s TV series aired in the US, UK, and around the world.

Rated R

Last month, Lidl stores across the UK started recalling four types of PAW Patrol snacks because of an issue with its packaging. A URL printed on the snack’s packaging was compromised and, to everyone’s shock, began serving explicit content.

The development is especially problematic given the snacks feature animated characters from a popular children’s TV series, and are marketed towards minors.

“Four types of Paw Patrol snacks are being recalled by Lidl after a website URL listed on the back of the packaging was compromised with explicit content unsuitable for children. Customers should return the products to their nearest Lidl store for a full refund,” warned Which?, a British consumer rights awareness service.

URGENT RECALL: Four types of Paw Patrol snacks are being recalled by Lidl after a website URL listed on the back of the packaging was compromised with explicit content unsuitable for children.

Customers should return the products to their nearest Lidl store for a full refund. pic.twitter.com/xMqX34CWid

— Which? (@WhichUK) August 30, 2023

Website still not taken offline

BleepingComputer confirmed the domain in question was named after Appy Kids Co, the company that produces retail products tailored to kids.

At the time of writing, the domain appykidsco.com can be seen serving Chinese adult content but only on mobile devices.

When accessed from a computer, the website shows a “temporarily unavailable” notice citing one or more violations of the “relevant regulations” of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

“Lidl GB is recalling the above-mentioned branded product as we have been made aware that the URL of the supplier which is featured on the back of the packaging has been compromised and is being directed to a site that is not suitable for child consumption,” states Lidl’s product recall notice.

“We recommend that customers refrain from viewing the URL and return this product to the nearest store where a full refund will be given.”

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