🔗 Share this article

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

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company alongside Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal collection showcasing causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the ongoing disagreement between the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

The entrepreneur revealed through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name and additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding repairing the damage that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians due to its colors, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales within disputed territories.

The new dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Management Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

The founder stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was silenced from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.

This development comes after co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company recently, after many years with the organization, citing concerns regarding how its independence was undermined following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations regarding social activism
• Independent product development from company founders
• The fruit-based product as political symbol
• Ongoing disagreements between parent company versus social mission