🔗 Share this article

The original creators of the well-known frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated that corporate owner Unilever stopped the introduction for an innovative Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that co-founded the business with his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial product within a personal series highlighting issues the company has been barred from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Conflict Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement intensifies the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker with its corporate parent, the UK-based consumer goods corporation that has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders maintain that Unilever and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked their company from "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

The Fruit Flavor becoming an Emblem of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via an Instagram video how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen commented from his kitchen. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that calls for permanent peace in Palestine while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

The watermelon has emerged as an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people because of its colors, that mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Historical Activism plus Current Developments

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company selling the Israeli operation over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales in disputed territories.

The new product line will be created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first created several years back to support ex- US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders with the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Management Shifts plus Future Intentions

The founder revealed that he will develop other frozen dessert varieties focusing on concerns which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from addressing publicly by corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following decades with the organization, citing worries that the company's autonomy was compromised after Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.

Previously, Mr. Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for its independence so that the company can actualise its ethical purpose, the values which established its foundation and has maintained for over 40 years," he told media outlets.

• Corporate owner restrictions on social activism
• Personal product development by company founders
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Ongoing tensions among parent company and social mission