The B&G Foods company has reported that the packaging on its brand Cream of Wheat encourages “systemic racism” and will make a change not to show a black chef on its box.
The announcement read:
B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE:BGS) today announced that we are initiating an immediate review of the Cream of Wheat brand packaging. We understand there are concerns regarding the Chef image, and we are committed to evaluating our packaging and will proactively take steps to ensure that we and our brands do not inadvertently contribute to systemic racism. B&G Foods unequivocally stands against prejudice and injustice of any kind.
The announcement came after another food company, Conagra announced that its Mrs. Butterworth’s pancake syrup packaging would also be changed.
“We understand that our actions help play an important role in eliminating racial bias and as a result, we have begun a complete brand and packaging review on Mrs. Butterworth’s,” Communications Manager Dan Skinner explained.
The company stated:
We stand in solidarity with our Black and Brown communities and we can see that our packaging may be interpreted in a way that is wholly inconsistent with our values. It’s heartbreaking and unacceptable that racism and racial injustices exist around the world. We will be part of the solution. Let’s work together to progress toward change.
Announcements from both companies came one day after Quaker Oats announced that it will be revamping its Aunt Jemima brand and Mars will change the name of Uncle Ben’s Rice to “end racial biasses and injustices.”
“As we listen to the voices of consumers, especially in the Black community, and to the voices of our Associates worldwide, we recognize that now is the right time to evolve the Uncle Ben’s brand, including its visual brand identity, which we will do,” the Mars-owned brand said in a statement.
