Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Alleges Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor
One of the original creators behind the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.
The entrepreneur, who co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will personally create this new product as part of a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.
Longstanding Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner
This latest announcement deepens the continuing tension between the world-famous ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.
Both founders have claimed that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".
The Fruit Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support
Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.
“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”
The watermelon has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that match those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.
Historical Activism and Recent Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in disputed territories.
This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that was first established in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".
Management Changes and Upcoming Plans
Mr. Cohen indicated that he plans to create additional ice cream flavors that address concerns that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.
This development comes after co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.
Previously, Ben Cohen commented how "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."
“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence so that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles that it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.
- Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
- Personal product development by company founders
- Watermelon flavor as social statement
- Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values