Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner States Unilever Prevented Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs advocating for social causes through dessert products

The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal series showcasing causes the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders maintain how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Future Intentions

The founder stated that he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence had been compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

  • Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
  • Independent flavor creation from company founders
  • The fruit-based product as political symbol
  • Ongoing tensions between parent company versus social mission
Christine Mitchell
Christine Mitchell

A wildlife biologist with over a decade of experience studying sloths in Central America, passionate about conservation and environmental education.