Nestlé is set to change the names of their Allen’s lollies’ Red Skins and Chicos.
Nestlé announced the move today, stating the decision was made to be more culturally sensitive. Both names are also racial slurs.
“This decision acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues,” the company said in a statement.
“These names have overtones which are out of step with Nestlé’s values, which are rooted in respect.”
The company is yet to finalise new names for the confectionery, however endeavour to announce these soon.
Nestlé is the latest company to reassess brand/product names in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has brought greater awareness to systemic racism, discrimination and cultural insensitivty.
Western Australia’s Colonial Brewing Co last week announced it was considering a name change after receiving a backlash for the imperialist overtones of the name and boycotts from at least one bottle shop.
The brand responded stating they conceded while the name had been chosen based on being one of the first brewery’s in the area, the name could be viewed as insensitive and were reviewing its use.
In the US, the Uncle Ben’s and Quaker Oat’s Aunt Jemima brands have announced they will change their names, which have been heavily criticised for their conjuring of racial oppression and slavery.