🔗 Share this article

The original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside his partner, disclosed that he plans to personally create this new flavor within an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

This latest development escalates the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company along with their ice cream division the Magnum brand improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Support

The entrepreneur announced via an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has become a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, which closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Current Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas under Israeli control, leading to Unilever transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that originally created several years back to support former political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will develop other ice cream flavors that address concerns which the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's recently, after many years of involvement, citing concerns regarding how its independence had been undermined following corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

"My heart leads me to keep working inside the company to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can achieve its ethical purpose, the values that it was founded on and has maintained for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company limitations regarding political advocacy
• Independent product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing disagreements among parent company and social mission