The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Halted Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Product

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders promoting social causes via frozen treats

One of the original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business with his partner, revealed how he will independently develop the controversial product within a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders maintain that Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, which match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Developments

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally established in 2016 for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, after decades with the organization, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.

  • Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
  • Independent product development by company founders
  • Watermelon flavor as political symbol
  • Ongoing tensions between parent company and ethical values
Chelsea Smith
Chelsea Smith

Urban planner and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in smart city projects across Europe and Asia.