Red Ripperz
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{short description|Raspberry-flavoured confectionery}}
Red Ripperz (formerly Redskins or Red Skins) are a red, raspberry-flavoured chewy confectionery manufactured in Australia by Nestlé under their Allen's brand.
The confectionery is sold as elongated bars which are individually twist-wrapped in paper, weighing approximately 10 grams each, although smaller sizes exist.
Branding controversy
'Redskin' has been considered a racist term for Native Americans and First Nations Canadians since at least the 1800s.{{Cite web|date=23 June 2020|title=Red Skins and Chicos sweets to be renamed, with Nestlé calling brands 'out of step'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/23/red-skins-and-chicos-sweets-to-be-renamed-with-nestle-calling-brands-out-of-step|access-date=26 August 2020|website=the Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Singhal|first=Pallavi|date=23 June 2020|title=Nestle to change names of 'Red Skins' and 'Chicos' lollies|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nestle-to-change-names-of-red-skins-and-chicos-lollies-20200623-p555ed.html|access-date=26 August 2020|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}
In 1996, a complaint was made to the New Zealand Advertising Standards Complaints Board about a Redskins advertisement aired on New Zealand television. The advertisement featured comedian Mark Wright dressed in Native American clothing and assuming an accent. A mock drumbeat featured on the soundtrack. Despite protest from Nestlé New Zealand that the advertisement was inoffensive, the board upheld the complaint.Kennedy, E. 'Complaints board upholds ruling against sweets ad', The Dominion, 1 July 1996.
Red Skins packaging formerly featured a drawing of a Native American wearing a traditional headdress. This was replaced in the late 1990s by a more neutral red character.
In June 2020, along with Chicos, Nestlé announced that the name will be changed to "represent the inclusive nature of modern society". The company said the decision was made to ensure "nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues". The statement added "these names have overtones which are out of step with Nestle's values, which are rooted in respect."{{Cite web|date=23 June 2020|title=Red Skins and Chicos lollies are about to get a rebrand|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-23/nestle-red-skins-chicos-allens-lollies-rebrand-overtones/12384986|access-date=27 June 2020|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=23 June 2020|title=Redskins, Chicos to be renamed|url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/red-skins-chicos-to-be-renamed-as-nestle-says-names-are-out-of-step-with-companys-values/news-story/85aa0876d9a17bb81dccf95d7e0d3afe|access-date=27 June 2020|website=NewsComAu|language=en}} The announcement of a name change occurred in the wake of widespread name changes following the George Floyd protests.{{Cite web|last=McDonald|first=Matt|date=23 June 2020|title=Lollies to undergo name change because of offensive overtones|url=http://www.mygc.com.au/lollies-to-undergo-name-changes-because-of-offensive-overtones/|access-date=26 August 2020|website=myGC.com.au|language=en-US}} On 16 November 2020, Nestlé announced that the new name for Red Skins would be Red Ripper. Packaging bearing the new name would be available in stores in early 2021.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 November 2020|title=Allen's settles on new names for two of its famous lollies|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-16/red-ripper-and-cheekies-the-new-name-of-allens-red-skin-chicos/12887278|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116055332/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-16/red-ripper-and-cheekies-the-new-name-of-allens-red-skin-chicos/12887278|archive-date=16 November 2020|access-date=16 November 2020|website=www.abc.net.au}} However, rebranding has been controversial as ‘Red Ripper’ was a name for Soviet serial killer Andrei Chikatilo.{{Cite web|last=Chapman|first=Alex|date=17 November 2020|title=Outrage as it emerges new name for Redskins has VERY chilling backstory|url=https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/food/redskins-rebranding-accidentally-names-lolly-after-notorious-serial-killer-c-1598105|access-date=22 March 2021|website=7NEWS.com.au|language=en}} The product was eventually released with the name Red Ripperz.{{Cite web|date=8 February 2021|title=Nestle Red Ripperz & Cheekies|url=https://mybrandz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nestle_MyBrandz-E-News_8Feb21.pdf|access-date=22 March 2021|website=MyBrandz}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Nestlé}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Redskins (Confectionery)}}
Category:The Willy Wonka Candy Company brands
Category:Australian confectionery
Category:Brand name confectionery
Category:Name changes due to the George Floyd protests
Category:Native American-related controversies
Category:Race-related controversies in advertising and marketing