Famous candy maker takes the ‘Easter’ out of its Easter-themed candy — yes, you read that right

Christians in America and Europe have long endured the commercialization of Christmas, which is now widely celebrated by people of many different religious backgrounds, including many atheists. But Easter has largely remained a distinctly Christian holiday. Perhaps that’s changing.

In the United Kingdom, the Cadbury candy company, the world-famous maker of “Cadbury Chocolate Easter Eggs,” and Nestle have reportedly removed “Easter” from the packaging used to house many of its Easter-themed candy. Products once called “Easter eggs” are now labeled “chocolate eggs.”

The Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit based in Orlando, Florida, told CBN News many candy makers in the United States have also removed “Easter” from their Easter candy packaging.

A spokesperson for Cadbury vehemently denied any coordinated effort has been made to remove “Easter” from their candy boxes and wrappings.

According to a report by The Sun, a publication in the United Kingdom, a spokesperson for Cadbury said, “There is NO policy or any effort to remove or phase out the word Easter from our marketing or packaging and to suggest otherwise is wholly untrue.”

“Our packaging includes the word Easter on pack and, importantly, for many of our Easter eggs it is even engraved on the egg itself,” the spokesperson added.

Many consumers aren’t buying Cadbury’s explanation—and for good reason. Cadbury also removed “Easter” from the advertising of its annual “Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt,” a popular event in England. According to a report by CBN News, the name was changed to “Cadbury’s Great British Egg Hunt.” The event is organized by the National Trust, England’s largest membership organization tasked with preserving and protecting “historic places and spaces—for ever, [sic] for everyone.”

On the National Trust’s website, the organization states, “We’re committed to protecting our cultural heritage and our 10-year strategy outlines how we plan to invest in the nation’s heritage, safeguarding the special places in our care.”

In response to the name change, British Prime Minister Theresa May said, “I think the stance they’ve taken is absolutely ridiculous and I don’t know what they’re thinking about, frankly. Easter’s very important; it’s important to me, it’s a very important festival for the Christian faith for millions across the world. So, I think what the National Trust is doing is, frankly, just ridiculous.”

Due to massive backlash, the National Trust later added “Easter” to a website promoting the event.

(H/T: CBN News)