Ben's Original (formerly Uncle Ben's) rice products

Originally introduced as Uncle Ben's in 1943, the brand is widely recognized for its parboiled rice and ready-to-heat meal solutions. The brand was founded in Houston, Texas, after Forrest Mars Sr. partnered with Gordon Harwell and Erich Huzenlaub to commercialize a unique parboiling process that retained more nutritional value. For decades, the brand featured the iconic image of a Black man, Frank Brown, and the name 'Uncle Ben,' which were retired in 2020 due to concerns over racial stereotypes and associations with servitude.

In 2021, the brand officially transitioned to 'Ben's Original' to promote a more inclusive identity. Today, the brand is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a major American multinational. While its primary manufacturing facility has been located in Greenville, Mississippi, for over 40 years, the global reach of Mars ensures production and distribution across multiple continents, including significant operations in European markets.