Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder States Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs promoting political issues through frozen treats

One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he will personally create this new product within an individual collection showcasing issues the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

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

Both founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that match the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Recent Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked that "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

  • Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
  • Personal flavor creation from company founders
  • The fruit-based product as social statement
  • Continuing tensions between parent company and ethical values
Carla Wright
Carla Wright

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and slot games, dedicated to helping players make informed choices.