Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Halted Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs advocating for social causes via frozen treats

One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever blocked the launch of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside his partner, announced that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal collection showcasing issues the company was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders and Parent Company

This latest development deepens the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol of Support

Mr. Cohen stated via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

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

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Future Plans

The founder indicated that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following many years of involvement, citing worries regarding how its independence was undermined following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

  • Parent company restrictions regarding social activism
  • Personal flavor creation by original creators
  • Watermelon flavor as political symbol
  • Continuing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission
Andrea Vega
Andrea Vega

A data scientist and writer passionate about AI ethics and digital transformation, sharing insights from industry experience.