Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Blocked Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Founders advocating for political issues via dessert products

One of the original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the business with his partner, revealed that he will personally create this new product as part of an individual series highlighting issues the company was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Parent Company

This latest announcement escalates the continuing conflict between the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Current Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company which was first created several years back to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will develop additional frozen dessert varieties that address concerns that the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he told journalists.

  • Parent company limitations regarding social activism
  • Personal flavor creation from company founders
  • The fruit-based product as political symbol
  • Continuing disagreements between corporate ownership and social mission
William Jones
William Jones

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online slots and casinos across the UK.