The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders advocating for social causes via dessert products

One of the original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal series highlighting causes the company was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have asserted how the parent company and their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem of Support

Mr. Cohen revealed through social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.

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

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that originally established in 2016 for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which the company was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company in September, after many years of involvement, citing concerns that its independence was compromised after Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen remarked that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

  • Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
  • Personal flavor creation by original creators
  • Watermelon flavor as political symbol
  • Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission
Nicole Blanchard
Nicole Blanchard

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine mechanics and casino strategy development.