Swiss multinational food and drink company Nestlé has announced it will be renaming its Red Skins and Chicos lollies amid the ongoing global discussion on racism.
The company said in a statement the names are “out of step” with its values, adding it did not want to “marginalise [its]friends, neighbours and colleagues.”
While the new names of the products have not been finalised, Nestlé said it will “move quickly” to change these names out of “respect”.
Calls for Nestlé to change the names Red Skins and Chicos aren’t new, with consumers previously arguing the names are racially insensitive to Native and Latin Americans.
The packaging on Red Skins was changed a few years ago to plain purple and red wrapping after it had previously featuring a Native American wearing a traditional headdress.
Allen’s Lollies, which is owned by Nestlé and sells Red Skins and Chicos in Australia, issued a similar statement on the decision to rename the lollies.
“At Allen’s we are about creating smiles. Today we announced that we will change the name of Red Skins and Chicos lollies.
“We haven’t finalised the new names, but we’ll keep you posted. We appreciate the comments we have received on the need for change.”
Nestlé is not the first brand to receive backlash following the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests and racial equality discussions around the world.
Cereal giant Kellogg’s was recently accused of casual racism from a former MP in Britain who questioned why popular breakfast cereal Coco Pops is promoted with a monkey, while Rice Krispies (or Rice Bubbles in Australia), has three white-skinned characters on its box.
In response, Kellogg’s said it supports the black community and agreed it was important discussions are had to improve equality.
“The monkey mascot that appears on both white and milk chocolate Coco Pops, was created in the 1980s to highlight the playful personality of the brand,” the company told Daily Mail UK.
“As part of our ambition to bring fun to the breakfast table, we have a range of characters that we show on our cereal boxes, including tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, elves and a narwhal.
“We do not tolerate discrimination and believe that people of all races, genders, backgrounds, sexual orientation, religions, capabilities and beliefs should be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.”
Similarly, Australian comedian Josh Thomas recently sparked a fierce debate about the name of iconic Australian cheese brand – Coon.
He took to Twitter with an image of the product alongside the caption: “Hey Australia – are we still chill with this?”
Over in WA, independent brewing chain Colonial Brewing Co also faced backlash and calls to remove its products from shelves.
