CNN – More than 1,700 people have signed a petition urging Trader Joe’s to change the labeling of some of its international food products, calling the grocery chain’s branding “racist.” [Since CNN published this report, the number of online signatures has surpassed 2,200.]
“The grocery chain labels some of its ethnic foods with modifications of “Joe” that belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes,” the petition, which a California high school senior launched two weeks ago, reads.
It cites:
- “Trader Ming’s,” the grocery chain’s label for its Chinese products,
- “Arabian Joe,” for its Middle Eastern products,
- “Trader José,” for its Mexican products,
- and a handful of others as examples.
“The Trader Joe’s branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures – it presents ‘Joe’ as the default “normal” and the other characters falling outside of it,” the petition says.
The grocery store chain, which first opened in Pasadena, California, in 1967, said it has already “been in the process of updating order labels, and replacing any variations with the name Trader Joe’s.”
Taco shells sold at Trader Joe’s branded with “Trader Jose’s … ” Read more.
Trader Joe’s: Remove Racist Packaging From Your Products
Change.org – 2,218 have signed
