Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner States Parent Company Prevented Palestine-Themed Ice Cream Product
The original creators of the well-known ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has announced how corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.
The entrepreneur, that established the business alongside his partner, announced how he plans to independently develop this new flavor within an individual series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's has been barred from speaking out about.
Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Parent Company
The recent development intensifies the continuing tension among the internationally recognized dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods corporation which has owned the ice cream brand since 2000.
The co-founders have claimed that the parent company and their ice cream division Magnum unlawfully blocked their company against "maintaining its activist principles".
Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol for Support
The entrepreneur stated via social media that he's developing an innovative watermelon-based sorbet, asking for consumer ideas regarding the product's name and potential ingredients.
“I'm accomplishing what they couldn't,” the founder declared in a cooking set. “I'm creating 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 a symbol for support for Palestinians due to its coloration, that mirror the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.
Historical Social Engagement and Current Developments
Several years ago, the ice cream company ceased sales of its products in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.
The new dessert series is being created through Ben's Best, the activist dessert company which was first created in 2016 to support ex- political contender Bernie Sanders via the product "Bernie's Back".
Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions
The founder revealed how he plans to create other frozen dessert varieties that address issues which the company was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.
The announcement comes after partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after decades with the organization, mentioning concerns that its independence had been undermined following Unilever's decision to restrict its social activism.
At that time, Mr. Cohen stated that “My partner has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."
“My conscience leads me to continue to work within the organization to fight for corporate autonomy ensuring that the company can actualise the social mission, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he explained to media outlets.
- Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
- Personal product development by original creators
- The fruit-based product as political symbol
- Ongoing disagreements among corporate ownership and social mission