The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Halted Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Product

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Entrepreneurs advocating for social causes through dessert products

One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he plans to personally create this new flavor as part of an individual series showcasing issues the company was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Involving Founders and Parent Company

The recent development deepens the continuing tension among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company that was first created several years back to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years of involvement, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that it can actualise the social mission, the values that established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

  • Parent company restrictions on social activism
  • Independent flavor creation from company founders
  • The fruit-based product as social statement
  • Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership and social mission
Sophia Gonzalez
Sophia Gonzalez

Lena is a seasoned sports analyst and betting strategist with over a decade of experience in the industry.