🔗 Share this article

One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Creators versus Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem for support for Palestinians due to its colors, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated how he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, following many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.

• Corporate owner limitations regarding political advocacy
• Personal product development by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between parent company and ethical values