Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Product
One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.
The entrepreneur, that established the business alongside his partner, disclosed how he will independently develop this new product within an individual series highlighting issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.
Longstanding Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner
The recent announcement escalates the ongoing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.
Both founders have claimed how Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".
Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support
Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video that he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”
This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for support for Palestinians due to its coloration, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.
Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments
In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.
This upcoming product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand that was first established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".
Management Shifts plus Future Intentions
The founder stated how he plans to develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues which the company was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.
The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence was compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.
Previously, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."
"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.
- Corporate owner limitations on social activism
- Personal flavor creation by company founders
- Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
- Ongoing tensions among parent company versus social mission