🔗 Share this article

One of the original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction for an innovative pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, who established the company with Jerry Greenfield, announced that he will independently develop the controversial product as part of an individual series showcasing issues the company has been barred from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement escalates the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have claimed that the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Flavor becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

The entrepreneur announced through social media how he is creating an innovative watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding naming options and additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has become an emblem for solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its coloration, which closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism and Recent Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist dessert company which was first established in 2016 to support ex- political contender Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen indicated how he will develop other ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries regarding how its independence had been compromised after corporate moves to curb its social activism.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can fulfill its ethical purpose, the principles which it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions regarding political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as social statement
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership and social mission