PepsiCo, the parent company of Quaker Oats, has announced that after 131 years, the name Aunt Jemima and the logo for the breakfast brand are being retired.
The company announced the move Wednesday morning that the syrup and pancake mix will get a new name and logo.
“Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” the company said in a press release, according to NBC News.
The image of Aunt Jemima has been changed in the past, but the character is still an issue. She was based on Nancy Green who was a “storyteller, cook and missionary worker," CNN reported.
“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype. As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations,” Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of Quaker Foods North America, told NBC News in a press release.
The new name and logo will be unveiled in the fall, CNN reported.
Aunt Jemima FILE PHOTO: After more than a century, the Aunt Jemima logo and name will be retired. (Paul Taggart/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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