German Biscuit Heiress Apologizes for Nazi Forced Labor Remarks

Voice of America
16 May 2019, 14:08 GMT+10

The heiress of a German biscuit empire has apologized for comments that seemed to downplay the use of forced labor in Nazi Germany.

Verena Bahlsen, who is part owner of her father's Bahlsen bakery, said she "deeply regrets" her remarks about the way the company treated those forced to work under Hitler's regime.

"It was a mistake to amplify this debate with thoughtless responses. Nothing could be further from my mind than to downplay national socialism or its consequences," Bahlsen said.

She said she recognizes the need to learn more about the company's history.

Bahlsen told Germany's Bild newspaper that the bakery treated forced laborers "well" during World War II and paid them as much as it paid German workers.

Many of the forced laborers were women from Nazi-occupied Ukraine.

Some in Germany have called for a boycott of Bahlsen products, including the famous Leibniz cookies.

German courts have thrown out compensation claims made by many former laborers because the statute of limitations had run out. But the company voluntarily paid more than $840,000 into a compensation fund in 2000.

Bahlsen was mocked earlier this month when she told a Hamburg business conference that she is happy to be part owner of a company because she wants to make money and buy yachts.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.

More Information

US Sports

Section

Arsenal fan groups call on Kroenke to reinvigorate flagging club

London - A group of influential Arsenal supporters' organisations, fanzines and blogs have joined forces to call for better leadership ...

Valley News - Baseball roundup- Phillies walk off with needed win

Baseball roundup: Phillies walk off with needed win Valley News PHILADELPHIA Maikel Franco homered with one out in the bottom ...

Boston Red Sox Lineup- David Price starts in Sunday Night Baseball against Los Angeles Dodgers

Boston Red Sox Lineup: David Price starts in Sunday Night Baseball against Los Angeles Dodgers MassLive.com Boston Red Sox starting ...

The Red Sox and Baseballs Unsolved Problem- How to Repeat as Champion

The Red Sox and Baseballs Unsolved Problem: How to Repeat as Champion The Wall Street Journal Boston once seemed like ...

Sea Dogs, Red Sox extend affiliation agreement

Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox today announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) ...

LeBron James To Lakers Changes NBA Title Betting Odds, Warriors Still Favorites

The Los Angeles Lakers have even better odds of winning an NBA championship next year following their acquisition of unrestricted ...

NFL

Section

Movie Review

The Sum of All Fears [Blu-Ray]

Sum of All Fears