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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
World
James Andrews & Rachel Pugh

Uncle Ben's could soon change its name on all packaging

Most supermarket shoppers will likely be familiar with the Uncle Ben's brand.

It's a regular on shelves in all major supermarkets, and has been for several years.

However, in light of recent events, the brand could soon look completely different, as its owner Mars is considering a rebrand.

According to the Mirror, the current packaging features the fictional character "Uncle Ben" - whose name was first used in 1946 - as a reference to an African American rice farmer from Texas.

But the image used is of "a beloved Chicago chef and waiter named Frank Brown”, the company said.

However, with tension over how race is portrayed across the world, Uncle Ben's owner has said things will change.

The owner of Uncle Ben's, food giant Mars, said: "We recognise that now is the right time to evolve the Uncle Ben’s brand, including its visual brand identity, which we will.

"Racism has no place in society. We stand in solidarity with the Black community, our Associates and our partners in the fight for social justice."

Mars has not said exactly how - or when - the changes will be made, and at the minute simply says it is “evaluating all possibilities".

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