Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor
The original creators behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.
The entrepreneur, who co-founded the business alongside his partner, disclosed how he will independently develop this new product as part of an individual collection showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.
Ongoing Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company
This latest development intensifies the ongoing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.
The co-founders maintain that Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".
The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol for Solidarity
Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”
The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with Palestinians because of its colors, which mirror those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.
Previous Activism plus Current Changes
Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales within disputed territories.
This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which originally established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".
Management Changes plus Future Intentions
Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.
This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's recently, following decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy was compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.
Previously, Ben Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."
"My heart leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.
- Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
- Independent product development by company founders
- Watermelon flavor as political symbol
- Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values