Outrage over Putin ice cream in Russia

A new popular brand ice cream in Russia that bears the name of prime minister Vladimir Putin has sparked an outrage in the country.

The ice cream by a Lipetsk manufacturer bears the name of the Russian strong man across the wrap next to a Russian tricolour, according to MosNews online, which quoted a report in the Russian Novaya Gazeta daily.

According to the report, the new brand has sparked outrage in the local branch of the ruling United Russia party. The managers of the ice-cream company in Lipezk were loyal members of ruling United Russia and that the Putin ice cream was not intended as a reference to the Russian leader.

More than 60 tonnes of creme brulee-flavoured Putin ice cream with the Russian flag on the packaging have been sold this year.

The ice cream manufacturers explained that they were using the word "Putina" in its less-known meaning, which means "the best fishing season", however strange the reference may be.

Earlier this month, according the MosNews online, another Russian ice-cream sparked a row for developing an allegedly racist ice-cream advert featuring US president Barack Obama.

The advertisement for the Duet chocolate and vanilla bar shows Obama standing in front of the US Capitol Building with the slogan 'The Flavor of the Week – Black in White,' said the Moscow-based online daily.

Another famous brand using the Russian ex-presidents and current prime minister’s name is the Putinka Vodka, moderately priced, heavily advertized and very popular among the general public, the report said.