Because of accusations of racism: After the "Uncle Benz" rice, the "Ant Jemima" dessert changed its name

The American "PepsiCo" group decided to change the name of its famous pancake powder "Ant Jemima" (Aunt Jemima) and the packaging of its red box, which bears the image of a smiling black chef.

And PepsiCo announced in a statement that cans of powdered candy and bottles of maple syrup will, as of June 2021, bear the name "Pearl Milling Company", which is the original name of the flour factory that was founded in 1888.

This change comes after a number of American brands have been severely criticized for their use of patterns. Racism, such as the "Uncle Benz" rice, whose manufacturer "Mars" recently decided to change its name to "Benz".

PepsiCo decided in June 2020 to gradually abandon the name "Ant Jemima", amid a wave of protests against racism and police violence towards blacks, which escalated with the death of George Floyd asphyxiation when a white policeman knelt on his neck upon his arrest.

And the "Quaker Outs" company, which is also a subsidiary of "PepsiCo", acquired in 1925 the "Ant Jemima" brand, which takes its name from the character of a hymn used by slaves on farms.

"The image of (the brand) has been modified over the years to remove any racist pattern that goes back to its origins," PepsiCo said.

Until the new products are distributed under the name "Pearl Milling Company", "Ant Jemima" boxes will remain available in stores, but without the black chef, as the group explained.

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