In a statement published on its website, Migros said internal control failures by its dairy processing arm, ELSA, led to the shipment of cream capsules featuring images of Nazi dictator Hitler and Italian fascist leader Mussolini.
Efforts have been made to immediately withdraw the Axis leader themed capsules from restaurants and cafes in the country, it said.
“…we apologize in due form for this unforgivable blunder,” said the statement. “Products with such motifs should never have been delivered.”
The images were provided by Karo Versand, a Swiss firm that distributes capsule covers to collectors. The designs are part of Karo Versand’s 55-strong Cigar Band series.
Units emblazoned with Hitler and Mussolini were then filled and shipped out by ELSA.
“In this case, the internal controls have failed and the motifs were accepted without further verification for packaging,” the Migros statement continued.
“In the future, we will tighten our controls for these products drastically to prevent the repeat of such a blunder.”
Migros added that it has cut ties with Karo-Versand after the company's CEO Peter Waelchli reportedly branded its use of Hitler's image "unproblematic."
“These statements are unacceptable to us," the translated Migros statement said. "We dissociate in all forms with Karo-Versand and have ended all business immediately."