The ice cream brand's Founding Partner States Unilever Prevented Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Entrepreneurs advocating for social causes through frozen treats

One of the co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product as part of a personal series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders versus Parent Company

This latest development deepens the ongoing conflict among the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders maintain how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced via social media how he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol for support for Palestinians because of its colors, that match the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created in 2016 to support former political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Changes plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company recently, after decades with the organization, citing worries that the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb its social activism.

At that time, Ben Cohen commented that "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 it can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.

  • Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
  • Independent flavor creation from original creators
  • The fruit-based product serving as social statement
  • Continuing disagreements among parent company versus social mission
Devon Pugh Jr.
Devon Pugh Jr.

A Berlin-based DJ and music producer with over 10 years of experience in electronic music and gear testing.