Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Alleges Unilever Halted Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Entrepreneurs advocating for political issues through frozen treats

One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever stopped the launch for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with his partner, revealed how he will independently develop this new flavor within a personal series highlighting issues the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders have asserted how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen announced via social media how he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally established in 2016 to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

The founder indicated how he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence had been compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for decades," he told media outlets.

  • Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
  • Personal product development from original creators
  • The fruit-based product serving as social statement
  • Continuing disagreements between parent company versus ethical values
Benjamin Floyd
Benjamin Floyd

A passionate DIY enthusiast and home renovation expert with over a decade of experience in sustainable building practices.