The ice cream brand's Founding Partner Claims Parent Company Blocked Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders advocating for social causes via dessert products

One of the original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated that parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced how he will personally create this new flavor within an individual collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Creators versus Parent Company

The recent announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through social media that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism plus Recent Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which was first established several years back to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Plans

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

The announcement comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

  • Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
  • Independent product development from company founders
  • The fruit-based product as political symbol
  • Ongoing tensions between parent company versus ethical values
Elizabeth Murray
Elizabeth Murray

Wildlife biologist and photographer specializing in sloth conservation, with over a decade of field experience in Central and South America.