The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Claims Parent Company Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders advocating for political issues through frozen treats

One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner Unilever blocked the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he will personally create the controversial product as part of an individual collection highlighting causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, that mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Future Plans

The founder stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

  • Corporate owner restrictions regarding political advocacy
  • Personal flavor creation from original creators
  • Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
  • Continuing tensions between parent company and ethical values
Jessica Collins
Jessica Collins

A seasoned mountaineer and outdoor writer with over a decade of experience exploring remote trails and sharing practical advice for adventurers.