Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor
One of the co-founders behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has stated that parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.
Ben Cohen, who established the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor within a personal collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about.
Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner
This latest development escalates the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.
Both founders maintain that the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".
The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem of Support
Mr. Cohen announced through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”
This particular fruit has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.
Previous Activism plus Recent Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.
This upcoming product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that originally established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".
Management Changes plus Upcoming Plans
Mr. Cohen stated that he will create other ice cream flavors that address issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to Unilever.
The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, following many years with the organization, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.
At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."
“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.
- Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
- Personal product development by original creators
- Watermelon flavor as social statement
- Continuing tensions between parent company versus ethical values