Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder States Unilever Prevented Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Product

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs promoting social causes via dessert products

The co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to personally create this new product as part of an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Founders versus Parent Company

This latest development deepens the ongoing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company and their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur announced via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that match the colors in the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which was first established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed that he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns that the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence was compromised after corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence so that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told media outlets.

  • Parent company restrictions on social activism
  • Personal flavor creation from original creators
  • The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
  • Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values
Kristin Oliver
Kristin Oliver

A seasoned casino strategist with over a decade of experience in gaming analytics and player psychology.