🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will independently develop this new product as part of a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company

This latest development intensifies the ongoing tension among the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated via social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that originally created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated that he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following decades of involvement, citing worries regarding how its independence was compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Parent company limitations on political advocacy
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and social mission