Traditional and instantly recognisable, Salad Cream has been a staple in households up and down the country since the 1920s, but now Heinz find themselves in the middle of a media storm without their wellies following an announcement that they are considering changing the name of this much-loved product.
Just 19 years after campaigners rallied to save Salad Cream from withdrawal, the American giants are considering ‘Sandwich Cream’ as the new name to appeal to younger shoppers and more accurately reflect how people use it; with research showing that just 14% of buyers use it as a salad dressing.
Commentators on social media are begging Heinz to do a u-turn and keep the name, with some stating that it is an example of ‘Americanism’ and several others pointing out that they don’t use the product on sandwiches, so it would (in theory) render it inappropriate to them after years of loyalty to the product.
The hoo-ha it has created has overshadowed the essential fact that the recipe will remain unchanged. Perhaps Heinz are hoping that once everything calms down the name change will sneak in virtually unnoticed between now and September (the month by which the decision will be taken) as it will still taste the same.
My thoughts
Personally, I can never see myself remembering to write Sandwich Cream rather than Salad Cream on my shopping list, but as long as they don’t alter the taste or look of it I think Heinz will eventually be forgiven. It just seems odd to me that something with such a wide range of uses will be given a new name which suggests it should only be consumed in one way. I have it with salad, chips, tuna and boiled eggs in place of mayo, plus I know people who mix it with ketchup to make a seafood sauce.
It has got me wondering whether there are any other everyday items we could rename to sound more sensible. As a starting point I’ll put a bid in to change air conditioning to brrrrr fan, letterbox to bill feed and wine to merry juice.