Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Claims Parent Company Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Flavor

Ice cream activism illustration
Activist Entrepreneurs advocating for political issues through dessert products

The co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how corporate owner the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with his partner, disclosed how he will personally create the controversial flavor within a personal collection showcasing causes the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Conflict Between Founders versus Corporate Owner

The recent development intensifies the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker and Unilever, the British packaged goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how the parent company along with their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor becoming an Emblem for Support

The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder declared in his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of support for the Palestinian people due to its colors, which closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Historical Activism and Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling their Israel business over to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the activist dessert company that originally established several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen stated that he plans to create additional frozen dessert varieties that address concerns which Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, following decades with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence was undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

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

“My conscience compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence ensuring that it can achieve the social mission, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

  • Parent company limitations on social activism
  • Personal flavor creation by company founders
  • Watermelon flavor as political symbol
  • Continuing tensions among parent company versus social mission
Tammy Mcconnell
Tammy Mcconnell

Financial analyst specializing in precious metals and global markets, with over a decade of experience.