Nestlé reveals new names for Australia confectionery brands

Nestlé is renaming its Allen’s Red Skins and Chicos lollies to Red Ripper and Cheekies, in response to “overtones which are out of step with the company’s values”.

The brand’s products were put under review during the summer, after the company made the decision to change the names in the wake of protests against systemic racism.

Red Skins, a raspberry-flavoury chewy lolly, is an offensive term for Native Americans and First Nations Canadians. Meanwhile, Chicos, a chocolate-flavoured gelatinous confectionery, can be an offensive term for people of Latin American descent.

The rebranded product packs of Red Ripper and Cheekies will appear on Australian shelves in early 2021.

Nestlé general manager confectionery, Chris O’Donnell, said: “We hope Australians will support the evolution of these two much loved lollies – while the names are new, the lollies themselves remain unchanged. 

“We will keep pack changes simple to help lolly lovers find their favourites easily.” 

Nestlé’s announcement follows moves by Mars Food, which has changed its Uncle Ben’s brand to Ben’s Original; while Unilever’s German food brand Knorr has changed the name of its Zigeunersauce or ‘gypsy sauce’ to “Paprika Sauce Hungarian style”.