Red Skins, Chicos to be renamed as Nestle says names are ‘out of step’ with company’s values

Nestle will “move quickly” to change the names of two of its most popular lollies, saying it does not want to “marginalise” or be “out of step”.

Nestle has promised to rename its Red Skins and Chicos lollies saying the names are now “out of step” with the company’s values.

“This decision acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues,” the company said in a statement.

“These names have overtones which are out of step with Nestle’s values, which are rooted in respect. While new names have not yet been finalised, we will move quickly to change these names.”

Chicos will get a name change.

Red Skins will also change.

The packaging on Red Skins was changed a few years to a plain red and purple wrapper. It had previously featured a Native American wearing a full headdress.

There’s long been calls to ditch the names Red Skins and Chicos — which critics say are derogatory and racially insensitive to Native Americans and Latin Americans.

There continues to be backlash against the Washington Redskins, a National Football League team in the U.S. over its name.

The ongoing Black Lives Matter protests across the world has triggered action against racially offensive statues, names, entertainment and food.

Calls are growing to rename Coon cheese after Australian comedian Josh Thomas reignited the debate last week.

Saputo Dairy Australia, which sells the cheese, said Coon was named in recognition of “the work of an American, Edward William Coon, who patented a unique ripening process that was used to manufacture the original Coon cheese”.

RELATED: Renewed push to rename Coon Cheese hits stumbling block due to historic detail

Hey Australia - are we still chill with this? pic.twitter.com/3pY2wyZ3IY

— Josh Thomas (@JoshThomas87) June 14, 2020

Indigenous academic, writer and activist Dr Stephen Hagan has repeatedly led the charge to get rid of the name Coon, which has long been seen as a derogatory term for Aborigines.

There have also been calls for Colonial Brewing Company, an Australian beer brand, to be renamed.

Netflix also recently removed four of Chris Lilley’s comedic series from the streaming platform.

The award-winning Australian comedian portrayed several racially diverse characters in his various series’ on We Can Be Heroes, Summer Heights High, Angry Boys and Jonah From Tonga.

RELATED: Four of Chris Lilley’s shows have been pulled from Netflix

Little Britain, a British comedy show that had blackface, was also wiped from a number of streaming services.

Allen’s Lollies, which is owned by Nestle and sells both Red Skins and Chicos in Australia, issued a similar statement on renaming the lollies.

“At Allen’s we are about creating smiles. Today we announced that we will change the name of Red Skins and Chicos lollies,” the company said.

“This decision acknowledges the need to keep creating smiles, ensuring that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues, or is out of step with our values.

“We haven’t finalised the new names, but we’ll keep you posted. We appreciate the comments we have received on the need for change.”