CAMDEN – Campbell Soup Co. has removed several "Diwali-inspired recipes" from its website after one dish drew a protest from a Hindu organization.

The Universal Society of Hinduism requested an apology Friday after the company featured a beef recipe among its dishes for Diwali, a Hindu holiday that falls this year on Wednesday.

Rajan Zed, the organization's president, said the recipe was "very hurtful" because the cow is sacred to Hindus.

He noted about 3 million Hindus live in the United States, and that more than 40 school districts in New Jersey will either close or have early dismissal on Diwali.

In South Jersey, the Chesterfield school district in Burlington County will not hold classes Wednesday.

Zed said a Campbell executive responded to his protest with an email that said the Diwali dishes had been removed from the website, and that the offending recipe was "neither appropriate nor acceptable."

The recipe for Spicy Beef & Broccoli Pinwheels included stir-fried beef and a choice of the company's Swanson Beef Broth or Swanson Beef Stock.

“Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, this autumn with Campbell’s Kitchen’s collection of inspired recipes,” said the webpage, which also suggested several vegetarian dishes.

The recipes had disappeared by 8 p.m. Friday

"We're sorry," said a replacement webpage. "We are currently experiencing technical diffculties. While we work on it, here are a few favorite recipes you may be looking for."

Beneath that message were several classic Thanksgiving Day dishes - green bean casserole, roasted turkey and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

A short time later, the link that once led to the Diwali page brought visitiors instead to a generic Campbell's Kitchens page.

Zed said an email from Elizabeth Campbell, the Camden firm's director of diversity and inclusion, also noted the company is reviewing procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A company spokesman on Sunday confirmed Campbell had sent the email to Zed, who asserted a formal apology from the company's top executives "was still due."

Zed said his Nevada-based organization, founded in 2011, "seeks to provide worldwide Hindu identity, enhance understanding of Hinduism, and to foster interreligious dialogue"

Jim Walsh: @jimwalsh_cp; 856-486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com

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