The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders advocating for social causes via frozen treats

The original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will personally create the controversial flavor within an individual series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators versus Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing tension among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that originally established in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

  • Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
  • Personal flavor creation from original creators
  • Watermelon flavor as social statement
  • Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission
Jessica Roy
Jessica Roy

Mira Chen is a tech journalist and AI researcher with over a decade of experience covering digital transformation and emerging technologies.