The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders promoting political issues via frozen treats

The original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the business with his partner, announced how he plans to personally create the controversial product within an individual series highlighting causes the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which originally established several years back to support former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that the company was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

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

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

  • Parent company limitations regarding social activism
  • Independent flavor creation from original creators
  • The fruit-based product serving as social statement
  • Continuing tensions between parent company and social mission
Barbara Mills
Barbara Mills

A certified mindfulness coach and writer passionate about helping others find inner peace through simple practices.