Global Upfront Newspapers
BusinessCoverNewsWorld News

Aunt Jemima brand, image to be dropped, PepsiCo announces

Acknowledging ‘racial stereotype,’ company announces new Quaker packaging will appear later this year

Thomson Reuters · Posted: Jun 17, 2020

PepsiCo Inc will change the name and brand image of its Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup, it said on Wednesday, dropping a mascot criticized for a racist history.

The logo of the more than 130-year-old brand features an African American woman named after a character from 19th-century minstrel shows. The offensive caricature is rooted in a stereotype of a friendly Black woman working as a servant or a nanny for a white family.

The brand has faced social media backlash and calls for a boycott in recent days, amid widespread protests over racism in the United States after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody in Minneapolis.

“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” said Kristin Kroepfl, vice-president and chief marketing officer, Quaker Foods North America, in a statement.

“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.”

A new name and logo were not announced, though Quaker said packages without the Aunt Jemima image will start appearing in the fourth quarter of 2020.

PepsiCo also announced on Tuesday a set of initiatives worth more than $400 million US over five years to support black communities and increase black representation at PepsiCo.

Advertize With Us

See Also

Chief Of Air Staff Visits Hospitalized NAF Pilots Involved In FT-7NI Air Crash In Makurdi

Global Upfront

Lawan cries foul, says his privacy invaded, phone number publicised over Electoral Act (Amendment) bill

Global Upfront

PDP, Igbo And Their Inevitable Divorce

Global Upfront

Insecurity Persists In Northern Nigeria Because Perpetrators Are Not Being Arrested, Prosecuted, Says ECWA President

Global Upfront

Nigeria: Defence Minister Charge Graduands Of Air War College 10/2024 On Innovations, Proactive Solutions To Combat Insecurity

Global Upfront

Kaduna Schoolchildren: Governor Sani Dismiss Ransom Payment To Terrorists Questions, Says “It’s Not Important”

Global Upfront

DSS Says No Money For Food, No Drugs For 9 Days, Says Nnamdi Kanu

Global Upfront

Japa To U.S.: El Salvador Slaps a $1,000 Tax on Travelers From Africa, India

Global Upfront

Collect Aspirants’ Money But Make Informed Decisions For A Better Nigeria, Peter Obi Tells PDP Stakeholders

Global Upfront

Update: Nigeria records 204 new cases of COVID-19, total now 1,932

Global Upfront

This website uses Cookies to improve User experience. We assume this is OK...If not, please opt-out! Accept Read More