Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Parent Company Blocked Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product
The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.
The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company alongside his partner, disclosed how he will personally create the controversial flavor within a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.
Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner
The recent announcement escalates the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.
Both founders have asserted how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".
Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem of Solidarity
Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”
This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.
Previous Activism plus Recent Developments
In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.
This upcoming product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that originally established in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".
Leadership Changes plus Future Plans
Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.
The announcement comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning concerns regarding how its independence was undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.
At that time, Mr. Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."
"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence so that it can actualise its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.
- Parent company limitations regarding social activism
- Independent flavor creation from company founders
- The fruit-based product as political symbol
- Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus ethical values