The ice cream brand's Co-Founder Alleges Unilever Halted Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Flavor

The original creators of the famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's has claimed that parent company Unilever stopped the introduction of a new Palestine-themed frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, that established the company with Jerry Greenfield, disclosed how he plans to independently develop the controversial product as part of a personal collection showcasing causes the company has been prevented from addressing publicly.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Creators and Parent Company

This latest announcement intensifies the ongoing conflict between the internationally recognized ice cream maker and its corporate parent, the British packaged goods corporation that acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

The co-founders have claimed how Unilever along with their ice cream division Magnum improperly prevented Ben & Jerry's against "fulfilling its ethical commitments".

Watermelon Flavor becoming a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-based frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for the product's name and potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based frozen dessert that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians because of its colors, which mirror those of Palestine's national banner – red, green, black and white.

Previous Social Engagement and Current Changes

In 2021, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in areas occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring the Israeli operation to a local licensee, thus allowing ongoing distribution in disputed territories.

This upcoming product line is being created through Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand which originally established several years back for endorsing ex- US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he will develop other frozen dessert varieties that address issues that the company was prevented from speaking about openly by Unilever.

The announcement follows partner Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September, following many years with the organization, mentioning worries that its independence had been undermined after Unilever's decision to restrict their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how “My partner has a really big heart and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

“My conscience compels me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that it can actualise the social mission, the values that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on social activism
• Independent product development by original creators
• The fruit-based product as social statement
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values