🔗 Share this article

The original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company Unilever blocked the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor as part of a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement intensifies the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented their company against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of support for Palestinians because of its coloration, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which was first established several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will create other ice cream flavors focusing on issues that the company was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years of involvement, citing concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can fulfill the social mission, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values