A French crêpe - or pancake - producer revealed highly classified information in a press release publicising the exact date when French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian would be making a surprise visit to Afghanistan with a supply of its produce, reports France 24.
The firm did so while trumpeting that it had been selected to supply 8,000 pancakes as a New Year’s gift for soldiers in Afghanistan, and that they would be delivered personally by Le Drian.
Paysan Breton, and its parent company Laïta, wanted to advertise its support for French troops was also keen to celebrate the publicity coup.
“We wish our troops in Afghanistan a very Breton New Year,” ran Laïta 's press release on Thursday.
The statement even specified the date that the minister would be in Afghanistan, breaking France’s strict protocol concerning ministerial visits to war zones.
“Mr Le Drian has chosen to give our soldiers a gift of Laïta pancakes, an authentically Breton product.”
The press release was withdrawn on stern instructions from the Ministry of Defence - but unfortunately not before the French media had picked up on the story and mocked the firm’s blunder.
By Friday, Laïta was also the subject of widespread criticism for using the minister and French troops to advertise its product.
Read more of this report from France 24.