Jamie Oliver book withdrawn after criticism by Indigenous Australians

Many British millennials are still bitter about Jamie Oliver’s war against junk food in school canteens – now the celebrity chef is drawing ire for rather different reasons.

A children’s book by Oliver has been pulled from sale after facing backlash for its portrayal of Indigenous Australians.

The Guardian reported on Saturday (9 November) that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation condemned “Billy and the Epic Escape”, which was released earlier this year, for relying on stereotypes and tropes about Indigenous cultures, particularly regarding their connection to nature and spirituality.

The organisation specifically criticised a subplot involving an Indigenous girl in foster care, arguing that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to the “erasure, trivialisation, and misrepresentation of First Nations peoples and their experiences.”

In response to the criticism, Oliver, 49, expressed his deep regret, stating that he was “devastated” to have caused offence and offered a “wholehearted” apology.

“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue,” he said. “Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”

Indigenous campaigners were especially outraged that neither Jamie Oliver nor his publisher, Penguin Random House, consulted with them prior to the book’s release.

“It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action,” the publisher said. “With that in mind, we have agreed with our author, Jamie Oliver, that we will be withdrawing the book from sale.”

Oliver, currently in Australia promoting his latest recipe book, is among a growing number of celebrities turning to children’s literature – a trend that has drawn criticism from many established children’s authors, who argue that they are being pushed out of the market.

Oliver’s first children’s book, “Billy and the Giant Adventure”, was released last year. 

Rising to fame in 1999 with his cookbook and TV show “The Naked Chef”, Oliver has long been an advocate for children’s nutrition. His outspoken criticism of unhealthy school meals in the UK in 2005 sparked a national debate, with his campaign against Turkey Twizzlers – pieces of spiralised processed meat that were a canteen staple – causing particular furor.