🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will independently develop this new flavor as part of a personal series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest development intensifies the ongoing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which match the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that was first established in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

The founder indicated how he plans to create other ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles which it was founded on while upholding for decades," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Personal product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values