🔗 Share this article

The co-founders behind the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate stopped the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the company with Jerry Greenfield, announced how he plans to personally create this new product within a personal collection highlighting issues Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators versus Corporate Owner

The recent development escalates the ongoing tension among the world-famous dessert company with its corporate parent, the UK-based packaged goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

Both founders have claimed how Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "maintaining its activist principles".

The Fruit Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen stated through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding naming options plus additional components.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for solidarity with Palestinians due to its coloration, that closely resemble those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

This upcoming product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created several years back for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Shifts and Future Plans

Mr. Cohen revealed how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down from the company in September, after decades of involvement, mentioning worries that its independence was compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence so that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Independent product development from original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions among corporate ownership versus social mission