Hasbro Mr. Potato Head gets a makeover as the creators transform the iconic children's toy to be more 'inclusive'

Hasbro Mr. Potato Head has been given a makeover as the toy manufacturers take steps to make the iconic figure gender-neutral and 'inclusive.'

The plastic potato-shaped play toy was launched almost 70 years ago in the early 1950s by the American toy line Hasbro and featured Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head characters. The aim of the play was to allow children to decorate their toy with a variety of plastic parts, including ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, nose, pants, and a mouth.

But in a bid to bring the toy up to date with modern society and equal treatment without discrimination, Hasbro has announced plans for a relaunch of the toy, and there are some distinct changes.

First up, the toy will be going gender-neutral, which means that in the future, it will simply be known as Potato Head, removing the toy's titles from its main branding.

The company confirmed that this was to make sure "all feel welcome in the Potato Head world."

More from woman&home:

• best jewelry making kits - for crafting intricate, one-of-a-kind pieces for yourself or as a special gift
• best sewing machines - 5 machines to get you started with the hobby
• best eReaders - offer you a whole universe of enthralling reading material at your fingertips, without having to lug around a hefty hardback

"The new branding and logo bring a fresh look with a whimsical color palette and will introduce a new product, including creating your own potato head family, to appeal to the modern consumer," a spokesperson for the brand said.

While the company's overall branding will change simply to "Potato Head," the company confirmed that it will still be releasing both Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head toys.

'I am proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren't going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD,' Hasbro tweeted.

Speaking about the new features, which will see the new Potato Head family toy launching this fall, includes two large potato bodies, one small potato body, and 42 accessories, Hasbro said it's "a celebration of the many faces of families, allowing kids to imagine and create their own Potato Head family."

The potato family can have up to two parents and a baby, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has welcomed the gender-neutral move on toy shelves.

"Hasbro's decision to introduce Potato Head as a gender-neutral toy is the latest move in a larger movement towards greater diversity and inclusion in toys and media aimed at kids," Rich Ferraro, GLAAD's chief communications officer, said in a statement. "By offering a toy that exists outside of the binary of male and female, Hasbro is helping kids to simply see toys as toys, which encourages them to be their authentic selves outside of the pressures of traditional gender norms."