Costco has removed a popular cheese brand from more than 100 stores after the company's owner called the Black Lives Matter movement a terror group on social media last month.

Brian Henry, the founder of Palmetto Cheese and mayor of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, came under fire for a post on Aug. 25 that critics have blasted as a racist take on the killing of two local residents, Today reports.

In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Henry connected the Black Lives Matter movement to the killing of Laura Anderson and her step-father, Nick Wall, who were killed in an altercation following a car accident on Aug. 24, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office.

"I am sickened by the senseless killings in Georgetown last night. 2 [sic] innocent people murdered. Not 2 thugs or people wanted on multiple warrants. 2 white people defenselessly gunned down by a black man," Henry wrote. "So why do we stand by and allow BLM to lawlessly destroy great American cities and threaten their citizens on a daily basis … this has gone on too long. Rise up America. This BLM and Antifa movement must be treated like the terror organizations they are."

Following public backlash, activists and organizers have called for the mayor to resign. Marvin Neal, the Georgetown, South Carolina, NAACP president, said instead of using his powers as mayor to support residents, Henry has used his position to stoke racial tensions.

"When two white people were allegedly killed by a Black man in Georgetown, SC, Mayor Brian Henry of the neighboring town of Pawley’s Island Beach had the opportunity to bring citizens closer together. He instead chose to use his platform to cause further racial divide and controversy by venting his frustrations on social media," Neal told Today.

According to The Post and Courier, the main daily newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina, signs have been displayed in Costco store that read "Over 120 Costco's throughout the US are no longer carrying this item," where customers would usually find the cheese product.

Although Henry confirmed Palmetto Cheese was removed from Costco’s inventory, he did not disclose the rationale behind the move.

“Costco rotates items in and out during the course of the year. They will occasionally add and drop products as a matter of normal business,” Henry told The Post and Courier. “We remain optimistic that Palmetto Cheese will be back on the shelves in the not too distant future.

On Sept. 3, he issued an apology at a press conference at the Pawleys Island Sea View Inn, which is owned and operated by the Henry family. The mayor asked for supporters to consider the hundreds of local employees affected by a boycott but did not address the request for his resignation.

“My comments were hurtful and insensitive,” Henry began. "I spent that past 10 days listening and learning. The conversations I’ve had with friends, our staff, the community and faith-based leaders provided me with a deeper understanding of racial inequality and the importance of diversity sensitivity, which is very much needed to heal Pawleys Island, Georgetown and our country."

Palmetto Cheese has since announced an endowment called Grace and Grits, which Henry will donate $100,000 toward in the first year. The endowment will provide funds for scholarship programs and assist local food banks. The food company will also hire a Diversity and Community Liaison to lead the project, Today reports.

The company also announced it will remodel the cheese’s label, which features a photo of Vertrella Brown, a veteran Sea View Inn's cook who helped establish the brand’s Sassy's pimento cheese recipe. Brown, who passed away in April, specialized in Gullah and other exotic dishes, per the Palmetto Cheese website.

Though company executives have not yet addressed it, pundits believe the rebrand was motivated by blowback for gaining profit from a Black woman’s likeness.

Following a flood of social justice protests around the country, Henry's business is the latest in a number of food companies that have decided to rebrand their products this summer.

Earlier this week, Blavity reported the once-popular rice brand known as “Uncle Ben’s” announced its 2021 rebrand as “Ben’s Original,” due to concerns raised over its logo featuring a Black waiter.

“We listened to our associates and our customers and the time is right to make meaningful changes across society,” Fiona Dawson, global president for Mars Food, multi sales and global customers, said in a statement.

In June, parent companies for Aunt Jemima, Cream of Wheat, and Mrs. Buttersworth also committed to rebrand or retire controversial logos.

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