Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Entrepreneurs promoting political issues via frozen treats

One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will personally create the controversial product as part of an individual collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians due to its coloration, that mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Future Plans

The founder indicated that he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after decades of involvement, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence so that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

  • Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
  • Personal flavor creation from original creators
  • Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
  • Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values
Ronnie Lyons
Ronnie Lyons

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino strategy and player psychology.