Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chef José Andrés and others criticize Goya CEO for supporting Trump

(CNN) Since its founding in the 1930s, Goya Foods has endeared itself to Americans for its high-quality, low-cost and authentic Latin American cuisine.

But its reputation took a hit this week when CEO Robert Unanue said the country was "truly blessed" to have a leader like President Donald Trump. His visit to the White House was enough to convince countless longtime consumers to boycott Goya for good.

Oh look, it's the sound of me Googling "how to make your own Adobo" https://t.co/YOScAcyAnC

"Oh look, it's the sound of me Googling 'how to make your own Adobo,'" the congresswoman wrote on Twitter, referencing the brand's savory Adobo seasoning

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro acknowledged Goya's "staple" status in Latino households, but he encouraged people to reconsider buying Goya after Unanue's White House appearance.

Famed Spanish chef and philanthropist José Andrés stopped short of saying he'd boycott the brand but criticized Trump and his policies on detaining children of undocumented immigrants, among other policies.

"I will personally do what I can to financially ensure these farms can carry on without them," she wrote.

Goya, which company officials say is the largest Hispanic-owned company in the US, was founded by Spanish merchants who emigrated to Puerto Rico from Spain and then moved to Manhattan, where they set up a storefront mostly frequented by local Hispanic families.

Authenticity was key to Goya's success in the early 20th century, and it's the reason it's succeeded since. It stocks the products essential to Latin American cuisine -- from black beans and coconut milk to guava paste and yuca -- and makes them available in major US supermarkets.

Cruz told CNN it's "disheartening" to learn the company behind products her family's used since she was born supports the Trump administration.

"My family is from Colombia and mom has always cooked with Goya products. She viewed them as a quality product that looks out for the needs of Latinos," she said. "It was so sad to tell her what the CEO said and she immediately said we were no longer buying any Goya products. She couldn't believe it! She made me look it up and show her."

A Goya spokesman said Unanue visited the White House to announce a donation of some of the company's products to food banks, and did not comment specifically on the boycott or backlash.