Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Alleges Parent Company Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs promoting social causes via dessert products

One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will independently develop this new product within an individual series showcasing causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain that the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen stated through an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that was first created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans

The founder stated how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that the company was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company recently, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

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

  • Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
  • Independent flavor creation by original creators
  • The fruit-based product as social statement
  • Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission
Wanda Coleman
Wanda Coleman

A digital artist and graphic designer passionate about creating accessible vector resources for the creative community.