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The co-founders of the famous frozen dessert company Ben & Jerry's has stated how corporate owner Unilever prevented the introduction of an innovative pro-Palestinian frozen dessert product.

Ben Cohen, who co-founded the company alongside his partner, disclosed how he plans to independently develop this new product as part of a personal series showcasing issues Ben & Jerry's was barred from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

The recent announcement deepens the continuing tension between the world-famous dessert company with Unilever, the British packaged goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted that the parent company along with its ice cream arm Magnum improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Flavor as an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video how he is creating a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting public suggestions for the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm accomplishing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder commented in a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored ice cream that advocates for permanent peace for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its colors, that closely resemble the colors in the Palestinian flag – red, green, black and white.

Previous Activism plus Current Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories under Israeli control, resulting in the parent company selling the Israeli operation to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing ongoing distribution within the occupied West Bank.

The new product line will be developed under Ben's Best, the socially conscious ice cream brand that was first created several years back to support former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders with the product "Bernie's Return".

Leadership Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder stated that he will develop additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development follows co-founder Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at the company in September, following many years with the organization, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy had been compromised following corporate moves to restrict their advocacy work.

Previously, Ben Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work inside the company to fight for corporate autonomy so that it can fulfill its ethical purpose, the values that established its foundation while upholding for decades," he explained to media outlets.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent product development from company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus ethical values