TikToker reignites debate over whether Trader Joe’s brands like Trader Ming’s and Trader Joe San are ‘racist’ as grocery store doubles down on its defense of controversial names
Trader Joe’s controversial decision to use ethnic names for some of its products has come under fire again after a TikToker posted a video criticizing the grocer.
A TikToker named Kai posted a video showing her realizing that a frozen bag of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken was branded Trader Ming.
As she prepares her meal, she turns to the camera, uttering the words, “Wait, damn it.”
In the video’s caption, she wrote, “Point of View: You just found out Trader Joe’s does THIS with cultural products.”
The video, which has racked up nearly three million views, is one of a series in which Kai continues to find various Trader Joe’s products with alternative labeling.
A TikToker named Kai posted a video using the popular “point of view” method to show that she was aware that a frozen bag of Mandarin Orange Chicken had been branded “Trader Ming.”
The video, which has nearly three million views, is one of a series in which Kai continues to find various Trader Joe’s products with alternative labeling.
With the help of viewers, she later discovered that the famous California grocery chain had other lines, including Trader Giotto’s, Trader Joe San, Joe’s Diner and Trader Jacques.
The store has an Italian food line called “Trader Giotto’s” and an American line “Joe’s Diner”.
There’s Trader Joe Sun for Japanese food, Baker Joseph and Trader Jacques for traditional French food.
Viewers weighed in with their opinions, many of them light-hearted and supportive, a stark contrast to the backlash the retailer faced in 2020 over the names of its Mexican and Middle Eastern food lines.
Food products considered Italian used the Trader Giotto’s brand.
Baker Joseph for traditional French food
“Big missed opportunity to call him ‘Trader Zhou,'” one joked, while another said, “As a Mexican, I prefer ‘Trader Jose.’
“I noticed it too. I have olive oil from Trader Joe’s and it’s called Trader Giottos,” one joked.
One spectator said: “I thought they were all traders who knew each other and sold each other their food.”
Another suggested: “I read somewhere that they use the cultural equivalent of Joe, but I don’t know why.”
But for many it came as a shock, just like in 2020; The chain said it would remove ethnic brands such as Trader Ming’s, Arabian Joe’s for Middle Eastern foods and Trader Jose’s from its shelves after an online petition called the products racist.
“While this approach to product naming may have been based on a light-hearted attempt at inclusivity, we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect—one that runs counter to the welcoming and rewarding customer experience we strive to create every day,” the press statement said. Secretary Kenya. Friends – Daniel told New York Post.
The American line of Trader Joe’s is called “Joe’s Diner”.
Trader Jose was used for products imported from Mexico.
Trader Joe Sun was used to purchase Japanese goods.
The California grocer had at least six brands that used popular or common names from other countries to sell products.
The petition was submitted in early July 2020 and has received more than 2,300 of the 2,500 desired signatures.
The petition criticized the practice and demanded that the company “remove racist branding and packaging from its stores.”
“The grocery chain labels some of its ethnic products with modifications of the name ‘Joe’, which contradicts the exoticism narrative and perpetuates harmful stereotypes,” the report said.
“The Trader Joe’s brand is racist because it exoticizes other cultures—it presents Joe as the default ‘normal’ and other characters as outside of that,” the petition states.
“The common thread between all these violations is the perpetuation of exoticism, the purpose of which is not to appreciate other cultures, but to promote others and distance them from the perceived “normal.”
In 2020, the chain said it would remove ethnic brands such as Trader Ming’s, Arabian Joe’s for Middle Eastern dishes and Trader Jose’s from its shelves after an online petition called the products racist.
But later that month, the company said it would stick with brands such as Trader Jose and Trader Ming’s for Mexican and Asian cuisine.
But later that month, the company said it would stick with brands such as Trader Jose’s and Trader Ming’s for Mexican and Asian cuisine, respectively.
“We want to be clear: we do not agree that any of these labels are racist,” they said in a statement. “We do not make decisions based on petitions.”
The grocery chain said it still believes the names, many of which were created decades ago, represent light-hearted efforts at inclusivity, adding that its customers say they still like them.
“We thought then (and still do) that naming products like this could be fun and show appreciation for other cultures.
“Going forward, we will continue to evaluate those products with different names that remain in our store.
“If we find that certain product names and/or products are not resonating with customers, we will not hesitate to make changes.”
Trader Joe’s did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.