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Peters Ice Cream Is Changing 'Derogatory' Eskimo Pie Name In Australia

Peters Ice Cream Is Changing 'Derogatory' Eskimo Pie Name In Australia

It's hoped the decision will help with racial equality

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Peters Ice Cream is changing the name of its beloved Eskimo Pie, having said that 'now is the time for change' as the company seeks to become 'part of the solution on racial equality'.

The brand has been doing an internal review over the product after customers voiced their opposition to the name.

The issue focuses sole on the word 'Eskimo', which is considered derogatory by Arctic communities.

While it is usually used to refer to Inuit and Yupik people, it was a term largely used by non-native colonisers. The University of Alaska said the word is 'derogatory in many other places because it was given by non-Inuit people'.

As a result, Peters has decided to alter the name of the product to make it more inclusive.

The company said in a statement to 7News: "Peters Ice Cream is committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality and we acknowledge that now is the time for a change.

"Eskimo Pie is a brand which has been within our portfolio for many decades and has a loyal consumer base who adore the product.

"We have chosen to rename the product 'Polar Pie' as this retains a strong association back to the original brand and product idea - a frozen treat you eat much like a pie - with your hands and hence the name Polar Pie."

The ice cream has been in Australia since the 1920s and is usually sold in IGA and Foodworks stores around the country.

But the name change isn't confined to Australia.

The newly named Polar Pie is also sold in America and the company that oversees production has decided to switch things up as well.

Eskimo Pies have been rebranded in the US as Edy's Pie, in honour of one of the founders of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream: Joseph Ed.

However, that change didn't go down well with on of the US President's children, with Donald Trump Jr tweeting: "The bulls*** never ends."

Featured Image Credit: Peters

Topics: Food, News, Australia