NO MORE ‘MISTER’ AS POTATO HEAD GOES GENDER NEUTRAL

Hasbro Inc. is dropping “mister” from the Mr. Potato Head brand to make the popular toy line gender neutral and appeal to a broader base of consumers. The series, featuring a plastic potato with removable parts like eyeglasses, a moustache, nose and mouth, will also be more sustainably made, the company said Thursday in a presentation to investors. Last year, Hasbro said the products would be made from “plant-based plastic” and have less plastic packaging. In the presentation, Hasbro said toys that reflect consumers’ values are particularly important now. Mr. Potato Head dolls were first sold in 1952, and have long been a top seller for the U.S. toy giant. The line has been altered to keep up with the times before — a pipe was dropped in 1987 over tobacco concerns.