Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner States Unilever Halted Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Product
One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.
The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced that he plans to personally create this new flavor as part of an individual series showcasing issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.
Ongoing Conflict Between Creators and Parent Company
The recent development deepens the ongoing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.
The co-founders have claimed how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".
Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Support
Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options plus additional components.
“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”
This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.
Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes
Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.
The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally created several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".
Leadership Changes and Upcoming Plans
Mr. Cohen stated how he plans to develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.
The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.
At that time, Ben Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."
“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that it can actualise the social mission, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.
- Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
- Independent flavor creation from company founders
- Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
- Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission