🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner Unilever prevented the launch of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the business with his partner, announced how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal series highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement intensifies the continuing disagreement between the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

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

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur stated via an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that match the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new product line is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally created several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts and Future Intentions

The founder revealed that he will create other ice cream flavors focusing on concerns which the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after many years of involvement, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy had been compromised after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry 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 corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions regarding social activism
• Personal flavor creation from original creators
• Watermelon flavor as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus social mission