Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder States Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Product
One of the co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.
Ben Cohen, who established the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, announced how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.
Ongoing Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company
The recent development deepens the continuing tension between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods giant which has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.
The co-founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".
The Fruit Flavor as a Symbol of Support
The entrepreneur revealed via social media how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared from a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”
The watermelon has become an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its coloration, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.
Previous Activism and Recent Changes
Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting continued sales within the occupied West Bank.
This upcoming dessert series will be created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which was first created in 2016 for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Return".
Management Changes plus Upcoming Intentions
Mr. Cohen revealed that he will create other frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.
The announcement comes after partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades of involvement, mentioning concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.
Previously, Mr. Cohen stated that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."
“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can fulfill the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told journalists.
- Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
- Independent product development from original creators
- Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
- Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership versus social mission