The ice cream brand's Co-Founder States Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Product
One of the original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch of a new pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.
The entrepreneur, that established the company with Jerry Greenfield, announced how he will independently develop the controversial product within an individual series showcasing causes Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking out about.
Ongoing Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner
This latest development escalates the ongoing disagreement among the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.
The co-founders have asserted that the parent company and its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".
Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem for Solidarity
Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions regarding the product's name plus additional components.
“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”
This particular fruit has emerged as a symbol for support for the Palestinian people because of its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.
Previous Activism and Recent Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting ongoing distribution in the occupied West Bank.
The new product line will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally established in 2016 to support former political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Return".
Leadership Changes and Upcoming Plans
The founder stated how he will create additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues which the company was silenced from speaking about openly by Unilever.
The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following many years of involvement, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.
At that time, Ben Cohen remarked how "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute 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 actualise the social mission, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told journalists.
- Corporate owner restrictions regarding social activism
- Personal flavor creation by company founders
- Watermelon flavor as political symbol
- Continuing tensions between parent company and ethical values
