Starbucks customers were left horrified by a sweet treat they thought resembled a polar bear with a slit throat.
The American coffee shop giant caused controversy with a limited edition iced biscuit released for Christmas which some people completely misinterpreted.
A polar bear design sparked horror for customers who were convinced that a cute red scarf in fact looked like blood pouring from the character's neck.
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It is now over a decade on since the biscuit was rolled out and had people fuming that bleeding polar bears were part of the chain's war on Christmas.
A Reddit user was first to point out on social media, commenting on how graphic the white-iced bear-shaped biscuit could be interpreted as.
Their snap of it was viewed nearly three million times and had thousands of social media shares 12 years ago.
Others proceeded to share their own photos of the snack which some claimed fitted with an alleged agenda Starbucks had against the festive period.
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One person wrote online: "Ok so Starbucks gets rid of their Christmas cups then they slit polar bear throats on their cookies?"
Another woman fumed: "Starbucks is at it again with their relentless war on Christmas.Now they've slit the throats of the polar bear cookies."
Yet many more saw the funny side in the incidental design flaw behind a dainty scarf, coloured the same as blood.
A Reddit user joked: "Looks like they got iced."
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"Global warming is getting impatient and is adapting a more hands-on approach," a second quipped.
Starbucks addressed genuine concern over its lack of Christmas items on the menu, telling BuzzFeed at the time: "In December of 2010 we served smiling polar bear cookies in cozy scarves."
The spokesperson continued: "They are just one example of our tradition to offer holiday cookies that are festive and delicious. This year you can find snowmen cookies and gingerbread people in holiday sweaters."
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