Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Prevented Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor
The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate stopped the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.
Ben Cohen, who established the company with Jerry Greenfield, revealed that he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual series showcasing issues the company was barred from speaking out about.
Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company
This latest development escalates the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.
Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".
Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol for Support
The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, requesting public suggestions for naming options plus potential ingredients.
âI'm accomplishing what they couldn't,â the founder stated in a cooking set. âI'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.â
This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner â the distinctive four-color pattern.
Historical Social Engagement and Current Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales in disputed territories.
This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist ice cream brand which originally created several years back for endorsing former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".
Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions
The founder indicated how he plans to develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues that Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.
This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, after many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to curb its social activism.
At that time, Ben Cohen commented how âMy partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."
"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence so that the company can achieve the social mission, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he explained to journalists.
- Corporate owner limitations on political advocacy
- Independent flavor creation by original creators
- Watermelon flavor as political symbol
- Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus social mission