The ice cream brand's Founding Partner Claims Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product
The original creators behind the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the launch for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.
Ben Cohen, who co-founded the business with his partner, revealed that he plans to personally create this new product within an individual series highlighting causes the company was barred from addressing publicly.
Longstanding Conflict Involving Founders and Parent Company
This latest announcement deepens the ongoing disagreement among the world-famous ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant that has owned Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.
The co-founders maintain how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".
Watermelon Flavor as a Symbol of Solidarity
The entrepreneur revealed through an Instagram video that he is creating an innovative watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding naming options and potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”
This particular fruit has become a symbol for solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.
Historical Social Engagement plus Recent Changes
Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.
This upcoming dessert series will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious dessert company that was first created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".
Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions
The founder revealed that he will create additional frozen dessert varieties focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from addressing publicly due to Unilever.
This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades of involvement, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.
Previously, Ben Cohen commented how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."
“My conscience leads me to keep working within the organization to fight for its independence ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles that established its foundation while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.
- Parent company limitations on social activism
- Personal product development from original creators
- Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
- Continuing disagreements among corporate ownership versus ethical values