🔗 Share this article

One of the co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside his partner, disclosed that he will personally create this new flavor within a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement escalates the ongoing conflict between the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol for support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new product line is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, after many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence was compromised following corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
• Independent product development from original creators
• The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
• Continuing tensions between parent company versus social mission