🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with his partner, disclosed how he plans to personally create this new product as part of a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders versus Parent Company

This latest development deepens the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder stated from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored 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 for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which mirror those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that originally established in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries that the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence so that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company and social mission