Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Claims Parent Company Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs advocating for political issues through frozen treats

One of the co-founders behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has announced how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch of an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that established the business with Jerry Greenfield, revealed how he will personally create this new product within an individual collection showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Conflict Involving Creators and Parent Company

The recent development deepens the ongoing tension between the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders maintain how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol for Support

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options and potential ingredients.

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

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which mirror the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Recent Developments

Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of their merchandise in areas under Israeli control, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Future Intentions

The founder revealed that he will create additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues that the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company recently, after many years with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence had been undermined after corporate moves to restrict its social activism.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has strong compassion and this conflict with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the principles which established its foundation and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

  • Corporate owner restrictions on political advocacy
  • Independent product development from original creators
  • Watermelon flavor as political symbol
  • Continuing tensions between parent company versus social mission
Megan Wolfe
Megan Wolfe

Lena is a passionate writer and creative thinker who loves sharing her experiences and ideas to inspire others.