These 4 Foods Used To Have Different Names

Sometimes, a rebrand is necessary. Whether it’s to reinvigorate a flailing product, to get out of legal trouble, or to recognize and redress a name that now bears outdated or problematic connotations, throughout history, brands have repeatedly changed what their products are called – and in the food world, that’s no different. 

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Of all the rebrands that have occurred over the last century or so, a few stand out as pretty prominent. Here are a few you might know – and a few you might not. 

Mr. Pibb

Mr. Pibb has been through not one, not two, but three rebrands in its history – and its latest one restored its most famous name. The spicy drink (and Dr. Pepper competitor) was originally released as Peppo, but in the early 1970s, a trademark infringement lawsuit was filed by Dr. Pepper, and it rebranded to Mr. Pibb. Then, in 2001, it was renamed Pibb Xtra, giving it a more modern-sounding twist.

Although that name stuck around for 25 years, the memory of Mr. Pibb remained strong in people’s minds – so much so that The Coca-Cola Company has recently re-rebranded back to its original name. Why mess with a classic? 

Edy’s Pie

Introduced in 1921, Edy’s Pie was originally known as Eskimo Pie, and bore that name for approximately a century. In 2020, though, manufacturer Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream stated that it would be changing its name, after recognising that the term “eskimo” was derogatory towards native Arctic communities and following the Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of that year, which prompted renewed conversations around racial justice.

The company paused production on the ice cream bars, and they were subsequently rebranded to bear the name of Joseph Edy, one of the founders of Dreyer’s, before entering supermarkets once more in 2021. 

Nesquik

Do you remember that Nesquik used to be called Nestlé Quik? What a world it used to be. Back in the late ‘90s, though, Nestlé decided that it was time to zhuzh up its name in the US – not only because it made it sound a bit snappier (well, we think so, anyway), but to align it with its international versions. 

Nestlé Quik was already known as Nesquik in the UK and Europe – and as such, Nestlé decided it was time for some good old brand cohesion. 1999 was the year of Nesquik, and we never looked back. 

Pearl Milling Company

Like Edy’s Pie, Pearl Milling Company’s rebrand was in part prompted by the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. The breakfast food line was formerly known as Aunt Jemima, but in June 2020, Quaker Oats announced that it would be changing its name, following criticism that its branding portrayed and propagated an outdated image. “We recognize Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype,” said Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of Quaker Foods North America, in a press release printed by NBC News. “As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers’ expectations.” 

Following the announcement, the breakfast food brand was renamed the Pearl Milling Company and re-released in 2021. Kroepfl subsequently stated to Fortune that the rebrand and new name “reflects the dignity, the respect, and the warmth that we stand for.”