The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Claims Parent Company Halted Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Flavor
The original creators behind the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate blocked the launch for a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.
The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business with his partner, revealed that he plans to independently develop the controversial flavor as part of a personal collection highlighting issues the company has been barred from speaking out about.
Ongoing Conflict Between Founders and Corporate Owner
The recent development deepens the continuing conflict among the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand for over two decades.
The co-founders have asserted how Unilever and its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".
Watermelon Sorbet becoming an Emblem of Support
Mr. Cohen announced through social media that he's developing a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting public suggestions for naming options plus additional components.
“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen stated from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based frozen dessert that calls for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding repairing the damage that occurred in the region.”
The watermelon has emerged as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.
Historical Activism and Current Changes
Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell its products in areas under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution within disputed territories.
The new dessert series is being created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the activist ice cream brand which was first established several years back for endorsing ex- political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".
Management Changes and Future Plans
Mr. Cohen revealed how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was silenced from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.
This development comes after partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's in September, following many years with the organization, citing concerns that the company's autonomy had been compromised following Unilever's decision to curb their advocacy work.
At that time, Mr. Cohen stated that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."
“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to fight for its independence so that it can fulfill the social mission, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to journalists.
- Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
- Independent product development by company founders
- The fruit-based product serving as political symbol
- Continuing tensions among parent company versus social mission