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The company has retired its old name and branding.

The Aunt Jemima brand of pancake mixes and syrups has long been under fire for its use of imagery that critics say is based on slavery-era depictions of black women. In an effort to distance themselves from that criticism, the brand’s parent company, Quaker Oats (which is, in turn, owned by PepsiCo.), has decided to remake the brand in the image of the business that first created it: Pearl Milling Company.


Starting in June, Aunt Jemima packaging will be altered to showcase the eponymous milling company, with the Aunt Jemima character official retired from all packaging and promotional material. “Pearl Milling Company was a small mill in the bustling town of St. Joseph, Missouri. Using a pearl milling technique, they produced flour, cornmeal, and, beginning in 1889, the famous self-rising pancake mix that would go on to be known as Aunt Jemima,” the brand’s website explains.

The death of George Floyd last year and the ensuing racial inequality protests put a spotlight on Aunt Jemima, as well as numerous other brands that have been criticized for outdated imagery. The original decision to change the Aunt Jemima branding was made at this time by Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of Quaker Foods North America.

“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,” Kroepfl said in a press release at the time.

“We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype. While work has been done over the years to update the brand in a manner intended to be appropriate and respectful, we realize those changes are not enough,” Kroepfl continued.

In addition to the rebranding, PepsiCo has announced “a $1 million commitment to empower and uplift Black girls and women.”