The ice cream brand's Co-Founder States Unilever Prevented Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Product
The co-founders behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.
Ben Cohen, who established the business with Jerry Greenfield, announced how he plans to personally create the controversial flavor within a personal series highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.
Ongoing Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner
This latest development escalates the ongoing tension among the world-famous dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.
The co-founders have claimed how Unilever and their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".
Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Support
Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”
This particular fruit has become an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that match those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.
Previous Activism and Current Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales within the occupied West Bank.
This upcoming product line will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which originally established in 2016 to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".
Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions
Mr. Cohen revealed that he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.
The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's recently, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries regarding how its independence had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.
Previously, Ben Cohen remarked that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."
"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can achieve the social mission, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.
- Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
- Personal product development by company founders
- Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
- Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus ethical values