🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to personally create this new product within a personal collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Creators versus Parent Company

The recent announcement intensifies the continuing conflict between the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed that Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen stated through social media how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for support for the Palestinian people because of its colors, which match the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company 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 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 and Upcoming Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Corporate owner limitations on social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values