About Bens Original
Ben's Original is a leading rice brand owned by Mars, Inc., formerly known as Uncle Ben's until its rebrand in 2020. The brand has been producing rice products since 1943 and was America's top-selling rice until the 1990s. The product range centres on parboiled rice, a form invented by German-British chemist Erich Huzenlaub and British chemist Francis Heron Rogers in the 1910s, designed to retain more nutrients than conventionally milled rice. The brand's origins trace back to Converted Rice Inc., founded by co-founders Erich Huzenlaub and Gordon Harwell. The name "Uncle Ben's" was adopted in the 1940s, referencing a famed Texas rice farmer. Forrest Mars Sr., founder of Mars's UK operations, had moved to the United Kingdom in 1932 to expand the Mars food company internationally, eventually acquiring the rice brand. In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and amid wider conversations about racial equity in branding, Mars, Inc. announced it would evolve the brand's identity. The company acknowledged inequities associated with the previous name and imagery, which had featured an elderly African-American man in a bow tie since 1946. The rebrand to "Ben's Original" launched in the US in 2021 and subsequently rolled out to the UK with a comprehensive marketing campaign including TV advertising, social content, in-store activation, and outdoor advertising. Alongside the rebrand, Mars invested significantly in community initiatives. The company announced $2 million in culinary scholarships for aspiring Black chefs through partnership with the National Urban League, plus $2.5 million over five years in Greenville, Mississippi, where Uncle Ben's was produced for over 40 years. In the UK, Ben's Original launched the "Seat at the Table Fund," committing £250,000 over five years to support people from underserved communities through food industry apprenticeships. The Ben's Original product range includes microwave rice pouches - a convenient option ready in just two minutes. Long grain rice, basmati rice, and wholegrain rice cater to those preferring traditional cooking methods. Flavoured rice varieties like Mexican, Chinese, and Pilau offer complete side dishes with added seasonings. The microwave range has become particularly popular for convenience-focused consumers seeking quick meal solutions. The parboiling process that distinguishes Ben's Original from other rice brands involves partially boiling rice in the husk before milling. This drives nutrients from the husk into the grain, resulting in rice that's more nutritious than regular white rice while maintaining a fluffy texture and separate grains when cooked. This technical advantage underpins the brand's "original" positioning. Ben's Original rice is available at all major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. The brand competes with Tilda, own-label microwave rice, and speciality rice brands. Using Grocefully to compare Ben's Original prices across retailers ensures you find the best deals on these convenient rice products.