The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor
One of the original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has announced how parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of a new Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.
The entrepreneur, that established the company alongside his partner, disclosed that he plans to personally create the controversial flavor as part of a personal series showcasing issues the company was barred from speaking out about.
Longstanding Conflict Between Creators versus Corporate Owner
The recent announcement intensifies the continuing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods corporation which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.
Both founders maintain how the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".
Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol of Support
The entrepreneur revealed through social media that he is creating a new watermelon-based sorbet, requesting consumer ideas regarding the product's name plus additional components.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared from his kitchen. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that was done there.”
The watermelon has become an emblem for support for Palestinians because of its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.
Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Changes
Several years ago, the ice cream company refused to sell their merchandise in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thereby permitting ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.
The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which originally established several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".
Management Changes and Future Intentions
Mr. Cohen stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from speaking about openly due to corporate restrictions.
This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years of involvement, citing worries that its independence was compromised following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.
Previously, Ben Cohen stated that "Jerry has a really big heart and this conflict with our parent company was breaking it."
“My conscience leads me to continue to work inside the company to advocate for corporate autonomy so that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles which established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.
- Parent company limitations regarding social activism
- Personal flavor creation from original creators
- The fruit-based product as political symbol
- Ongoing tensions between parent company versus ethical values