The Movement for Black Lives has come for your racist food brands.
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, perhaps one of the most-overdue and yet least-expected changes in American culture finally began: the replacement of racist, stereotypical “spokescharacters” on packaged foods, including Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, and Mia the Native American “butter maiden” from Land O’Lakes.
While Land O’Lakes announced that it would remove Mia from its packaging the month before Floyd’s murder set off a global uprising, in the days and weeks afterward, other brands followed suit. In June, Quaker Oats, the PepsiCo subsidiary that owns the Aunt Jemima brand, announced its intention to rename and rebrand its products. It also acknowledged that the character was based on a racial stereotype. Scholars have said that it represents the Black mammy.
The Movement for Black Lives has come for your racist food brands.
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, perhaps one of the most-overdue and yet least-expected changes in American culture finally began: the replacement of racist, stereotypical “spokescharacters” on packaged foods, including Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, and Mia the Native American “butter maiden” from Land O’Lakes.
While Land O’Lakes announced that it would remove Mia from its packaging the month before Floyd’s murder set off a global uprising, in the days and weeks afterward, other brands followed suit. In June, Quaker Oats, the PepsiCo subsidiary that owns the Aunt Jemima brand, announced its intention to rename and rebrand its products. It also acknowledged that the character was based on a racial stereotype. Scholars have said that it represents the Black mammy.
Ben s Original™ Products Now Available In New Packaging Throughout The United States
- New Packaging is the Next Step in the Brand s Ambition to Create Opportunities That Offer Everyone a Seat at the Table -
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CHICAGO, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Today Mars Food announced Ben s Original™ products are now available in new packaging at retailers throughout the United States. The new packaging is the brand s next step in its ambition to create a more inclusive future while maintaining its commitment to producing the world s best rice.
BEN’S ORIGINAL™ PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE IN
Mars has rolled out other initiatives, including a $2 million investment in culinary scholarships for aspiring Black chefs in partnership with the National Urban League and United Negro College Fund. Learn more about Ben s Original “Seat at the Table Fund” scholarship and apply through June 30, 2021, at UNCF.org/SeatAtTheTable.
Mars also is investing $2.5 million over the next five years in Greenville, Mississippi – where the brand has been produced for the U.S. for more than 40 years – “to enhance educational opportunities for area students, as well as further access to fresh foods,” the company said.
Aunt Jemima change coming soon
In February, Quaker Oats, part of PepsiCo, announced Aunt Jemima would be renamed Pearl Milling Co. with the rebranded pancake mixes, syrups, cornmeal, flour, and grits products expected to start arriving in stores in June.