Trader Joe's defends 'racist' packaging and won't drop from stores despite reports

washingtonexaminer.com ^ | 7/29/2020 | Andrew Mark Miller

[rktman]

Grocery store chain Trader Joe’s announced that it will not be removing popular international food labels despite being attacked as “racist” over the packaging.

“A few weeks ago, an online petition was launched calling on us to ‘remove racist packaging from [our] products,’” the company said. “Following were inaccurate reports that the petition prompted us to take action. We want to be clear: we disagree that any of these labels are racist. We do not make decisions based on petitions. We make decisions based on what customers purchase, as well as the feedback we receive from our customers and Crew Members. If we feel there is need for change, we do not hesitate to take action.”

The post on the Trader Joe's website refers to previous reports that an online petition gaining over 4,000 signatures had caused them to remove international packaging such as “Trader Jose” and “Trader Ming” while defending the practice against racism claims.

The company, founded in Pasadena, California, in 1967, went on to explain that the "buying team" started using the phrases years ago as a term of endearment and respect for other cultures.

“Recently we have heard from many customers reaffirming that these name variations are largely viewed in exactly the way they were intended — as an attempt to have fun with our product marketing,” the post continued. “We continue our ongoing evaluation, and those products that resonate with our customers and sell well will remain on our shelves.”

It had been reported earlier this month that Trader Joe’s was joining companies and brands such as Land O’Lakes, Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben’s, and several others in removing packaging or language that has been deemed racist following the civil unrest in the wake of the death of George Floyd on May 25.

[rktman]

"...“We continue our ongoing evaluation..." Uh, anyone got the morning line out of Vegas on how long they'll hold out? Cancelling coming soon to a Trader Joe's near you? Stay Trader Joe's. Don't become TRAITOR Joe's!

[Lizavetta]

From what I understand, this was started by a 17 year old brat on Twitter or Facebook with 81 followers.

Why this brat's complaints or opinions MADE THE NEWS says everything about the media.

Stand your ground, Trader Joe. IGNORE HER. You've got a dedicated clientele (a tad cultish, but I digress) who won't abandon you.

IGNORE THESE PEOPLE!

[Savage Beast]

Oooooh oooooh!

Those who are obsessed with race are the racists! The honest people don't give it a lot of thought, but rather take people as they are.

The Democrat Party has always been the party of racism. It is today.

That's no surprise. The Democrat Party has championed--and exploited--every evil from slavery and the ku klux klan to infanticide, voter fraud, coup d'etat, decadence, sexual perversion, and the destruction of America.

It can only be expected to champion and exploit the evil of racism. And it does.

[Leaning Right]

I don’t even need to know what this particular packaging is. The packaging is racist! All ____________ are racist!

Fill in that blank with any noun you want. Cows, pilots, blankets. It doesn’t matter. Just fill in the blank and * presto * you’ve got a cause the liberals will wholeheartedly support.

[StAntKnee]

We’ll see. Tomorrow they be on their knees begging foregiveness.

Hope not. Trader Jose beer, I think, is repackaged Corona. Pretty dang good.

[newfreep]

I have never watched TRAITOR Joe and his sidekick, Mika.

Didn’t TRAITOR Joe, as a CongressCritter, murder his office girlfriend?

[newfreep]

The face off:

Corona Extra
Nose: Sharp and delicious, the smell of summer. Maybe I'm biased, but this lager is screaming for a fresh lime.
Taste: Full bodied and sweet, with a crunch like English cheddar.
Color: Bright straw

Trader Jose:
Nose: Lacks the distinctive characteristics of Corona Extra. Less complex, less aromatic. Mildly reminiscent of hay.
Taste: Thinner body, less complex, but still drinkable. Improves with a slice of lime.
Color: Dark straw

Conclusion: Corona wins hands down on this one. Trader Jose just doesn't carry the same complexity or the crisp flavors of Corona. Spend the extra two dollars, it's only $.33 per beer. And if you're still thirsty after you finish that six pack, go for Trader Jose.

[proxy_user]

Trader Joe’s is privately held, so they can do whatever they want. Sure, good ahead and boycott us, our stores are too crowded anyway.

[rktman]

😂😂😂

[dainbramaged]

There are many American brands that taste better than that Mexican swill. Alaskan Amber for one.

[newfreep]

My post was an excerpt of a review comparing Corona & Trader Jose.

ONLY those 2 brews.

Next time, please read slower before attacking a fellow freeper.

[KarlInOhio]

and brands such as Land O’Lakes,

I love the new packaging. Chase off the Indian but keep her land and lake, just the way it should be. < /sarc>

[Defiant]

Trader Jose is no more racist than Trader Joe. This is incredibly stupid. Now if it was Trader Goombah for Italian food, that might be different. But it’s Giuseppe.

[DesertRhino]

” Trader Jose just doesn’t carry the same complexity or the crisp flavors of Corona.”

Yeahhhhh.... you gotta expand your horizons a little more

[dainbramaged]

My post did not even resemble an attack, so take it easy.

[sauropod]

bkmk

[FormerFRLurker]

Hope they stay strong. The claim that Trader Jose’s tortillas are somehow racist sounds like the lamebrained theory of a high school kid with too much time on his/her hands.

[BobL]

“We do not make decisions based on petitions. We make decisions based on what customers purchase, as well as the feedback we receive from our customers and Crew Members.”

Saying something like that may very well get them some ‘attention’ from the rioters - they better have a good sprinkler system at their stores.

[rktman]

YUP! Halon system?

[StAntKnee]

Terrific review of the beers.
Thank you.