B&G Foods to drop black chef image from packaging to ward off criticism

US-based frozen food manufacturer B&G Foods is reportedly planning to remove the image of a black chef from the packaging of its Cream of Wheat porridge mix.

The company decided to remove the image after several customers found it racially insensitive and offensive.

B&G Food in a statement said: “For years, the image of an African-American chef appeared on our Cream of Wheat packaging. While research indicates the image may be based upon an actual Chicago chef named Frank White, it reminds some consumers of earlier depictions they find offensive.”

B&G Food joins the list of companies such as Mars and PepsiCo that have changed names and branding of their products amid a wider national debate over racial inequality in the US.

The manufacturer added that it will be rolling out new packaging for its Cream of Wheat porridge mix by the first quarter of next year.

Earlier this week, Mars Food announced that will be changing the Uncle Ben’s brand to Ben’s Original, as well as the image on the product packaging to create more equitable iconography.

The manufacturer said that it will be taking necessary measures to create opportunities that offer everyone a seat at the table.

Mars Food Multisales and Global Customers global president Fiona Dawson said: “Over the last several weeks, we have listened to thousands of consumers, our own Associates and other stakeholders from around the world.

“We understand the inequities that were associated with the name and face of the previous brand, and as we announced in June, we have committed to change.”

In July, Canadian dairy firm Saputo said to have planned to remove ‘Coon’ name from its cheese products in Australia to eliminate racism.

According to Bloomberg, the company felt that the word was offensive to Aboriginal Australians.

An abbreviation of word ‘raccoon’, the word ‘coon’ is said to be a racist term with its roots in American slavery and used against black people, according to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University in Michigan, reported Bloomberg.