The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Product
One of the co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.
Ben Cohen, that established the business with his partner, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial product within an individual series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.
Ongoing Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner
The recent development escalates the continuing conflict between the internationally recognized dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.
The co-founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".
Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem of Support
The entrepreneur announced through social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”
The watermelon has become an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.
Previous Activism plus Recent Developments
In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.
The new dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company that was first established in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".
Management Changes and Upcoming Plans
Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.
The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, following many years of involvement, mentioning concerns that its independence was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.
Previously, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."
“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.
- Parent company limitations on social activism
- Personal flavor creation by company founders
- Watermelon flavor as social statement
- Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission