Mars to change name of Uncle Ben’s rice from next year

Packaging with the new brand name will be sold from next year

Mars has revealed that the brand name and identity of its Uncle Ben’s rice products will be changed to Ben’s Original. The products will retain the orange colour and blue font of the existing packaging, but the current logo will be removed when Ben's Original products hit shelves worldwide from 2021. The change comes after Mars announced plans earlier this year to evolve the Uncle Ben’s brand, including its visual brand identity. Uncle Ben’s rice products have been sold since the brand was established in Texas in 1943, before becoming a household name around the world in the latter half of the 20^th century. Since 1946, Uncle Ben’s products have carried a picture of an elderly black man dressed in a bow-tie. Speaking to CNN Business about the decision to change the name and remove the logo, global president of Mars Food Fiona Dawson said that “for some, it clearly had overtones of servitude, and that is not the brand that we want to represent”. Dawson said the decision to rebrand the product was made after requests from employees and consumers. "There's no place for anything in this world that hints at social injustice," she said. A statement from Mars on its plans to evolve the Uncle Ben’s brand earlier this year read: “As a global brand, we know we have a responsibility to take a stand in helping to put an end to racial bias and injustices.” “As we listen to the voices of consumers, especially in the Black community, and to the voices of our Associates worldwide, we recognise that now is the right time to evolve the Uncle Ben’s brand, including its visual brand identity, which we will do. “We don’t yet know what the exact changes or timing will be, but we are evaluating all possibilities. “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. We know to make the systemic change needed, it’s going to take a collective effort from all of us – individuals, communities and organisations of all sizes around the world.”