Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder States Unilever Halted Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Founders promoting political issues via frozen treats

The original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he will personally create this new product as part of an individual collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Flavor as an Emblem of Solidarity

The entrepreneur stated through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas for the product's name plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of solidarity with Palestinians because of its coloration, which match the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Upcoming Plans

The founder revealed that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

  • Parent company limitations on political advocacy
  • Independent product development by company founders
  • The fruit-based product as political symbol
  • Continuing tensions between corporate ownership and ethical values
Pamela Neal
Pamela Neal

A seasoned luxury lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience covering high-end fashion and exclusive travel destinations.