Unilever has confirmed that they have renamed their German food brand Knorr’s spicy ‘gypsy sauce’ due to racist connotations.
The sauce, which was widely used by Nazis during World War II, will now be titled as ‘Paprika Sauce Hungarian Style’.
The term ‘gypsy’ has also been viewed as a negative term towards Roma and Sinti people - minority groups across Europe.
Germany has also seen an increase in racist attacks, with number of complaints reported more than doubled since 2015.
Central Council of German Sinti and Roma has welcomed Knorr's decision to the name change following years of campaigning, including facing a rejection in 2013.
Head of the council Romani Rose, said: “It is good that Knorr is responding to the complaints of many people.”
He added: “Against this background, gypsy schnitzel and gypsy sauce are not of the utmost urgency for the Central Council.”
However, Mr Rose noted the rising racism within German football is a cause for concern, with fans occasionally heard chanting “Gypsies” and “Jews” as insults during matches.
Knorr’s decision to change a product’s name based on racist implications comes in a recent movement from several other companies following the global George Floyd protests.
Earlier this year, Mars Foods said they will review their Uncle Ben’s brand while Aunt Jemima, owned by Quaker Oats Company, announced they will retire the 130-year-old brand.
