The ice cream brand's Founding Partner Claims Parent Company Prevented Pro-Palestinian Frozen Dessert Flavor
The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced that parent company Unilever blocked the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.
Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business alongside Jerry Greenfield, disclosed that he will independently develop this new flavor within an individual series highlighting causes the company was prevented from speaking out about.
Ongoing Conflict Between Creators versus Parent Company
The recent announcement deepens the ongoing tension between the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.
The co-founders have claimed how Unilever along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".
The Fruit Sorbet as a Symbol for Support
Mr. Cohen revealed via social media how he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options and additional components.
“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”
This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem for support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.
Historical Social Engagement and Recent Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.
The new product line is being created through Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand that originally established several years back for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".
Management Changes plus Future Intentions
The founder indicated how he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which the company was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.
This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.
At that time, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."
“My conscience leads me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles which it was founded on while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.
- Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
- Independent product development by original creators
- The fruit-based product as political symbol
- Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission