Mars Inc. has announced that it is retiring the Uncle Ben’s brand and renaming the product line as Ben’s Original.
We listened. And we learned. Moving forward, Uncle Ben's will be known as Ben’s Original™. Read our full statement to find out more about our brand's new purpose to create opportunities that offer everyone a seat at the table: https://t.co/0tSE0lnMa1 pic.twitter.com/741JQU1qTI
— Ben's Original (@BensOriginal) September 23, 2020
The move comes as corporations are reevaluating their trade names with respect to racial reckoning to slavery and historic systemic racism.
“We listened to our associates and our customers and the time is right to make meaningful changes across society,” said Fiona Dawson, global president for Mars Food, multisales and global customers, in a statement published by the Associated Press. “When you are making these changes, you are not going to please everyone. But it’s about doing the right thing, not the easy thing.”