The companies that run Cream of Wheat and Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup are both currently under pressure by social media users to rebrand their “racist” mascots following the Aunt Jemima controversy on Tuesday.
The pressure comes as the companies that represent Uncle Ben’s rice and Aunt Jemima announced their plans to rebrand the names and images of their products after many social media users noted the food products were “perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes.
”Via CNN
Uncle Ben’s owner Mars is planning to change the rice maker’s “brand identity” — one of several food companies planning to overhaul logos and packaging that have long been criticized for perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes.
Earlier on Wednesday, Quaker Oats announced it’s retiring the 130-year-old Aunt Jemima brand and logo. “As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations,” the Pepsi (PEP)-owned company said in a statement.
Cream of Wheat’s mascot, Rastus, is being called out over the character’s name which has historically been used as a derogatory way to refer to black men.
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Conagra, the company which owns Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup said they would conduct an internal brand and product review after several social media users noted the racist origins of Mrs. Butterworth.
Conagra, which makes Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup, said it would conduct a complete brand and packaging review. Conagra noted it “can see that our packaging may be interpreted in a way that is wholly inconsistent with our values.”
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