Nestlé Australia has revealed the names of two confectionery items it decided to rename due to racial overtones that were “out of step with the company’s values.”
In June, Nestlé said it would rebrand its Allen’s Red Skins and Allen’s Chicos products, since those are derogatory terms for Native Americans and Latinos, respectively. They’ll now be called Allen’s Red Ripper and Allen’s Cheekies.
Red Ripper are raspberry chews, while the Cheekies are chocolate-flavored jelly babies.
“Nestle has an unwavering commitment to upholding respect for our friends, neighbors and colleagues,” said Chris O’Donnell, Nestlé general manager confectionery. “We hope Australians will support the evolution of these two much loved lollies – while the names are new, the lollies themselves remain unchanged.
O’Donnell added the company will keep the packaging changes simple to allow consumers to easily find the products. Red Ripper and Cheekies will appear on shelf in early 2021.
Nestlé also announced in June it would rename its Colombia-based Beso de Negra chocolate and marshmallow product. The name translates to a “kiss from a Black woman.” No further announcements about that product have been made.