Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner States Unilever Blocked Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Entrepreneurs advocating for political issues through dessert products

One of the co-founders of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever prevented the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product as part of an individual collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent development escalates the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized dessert company and Unilever, the British packaged goods giant which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, that match those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement and Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which was first established several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was compromised after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to keep working within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

  • Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
  • Personal product development by company founders
  • Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
  • Ongoing disagreements between parent company versus ethical values
Katherine Wright
Katherine Wright

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.