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The original creators behind the well-known frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated that parent company Unilever blocked the introduction of a new pro-Palestinian ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, that co-founded the business alongside his partner, announced how he plans to independently develop this new product within an individual collection highlighting issues the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Longstanding Dispute Between Founders and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement deepens the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous dessert company and Unilever, the UK-based consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's since 2000.

The co-founders have asserted how the parent company and its ice cream arm the Magnum brand unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "honouring its social mission".

The Fruit Sorbet becoming a Symbol of Solidarity

Mr. Cohen revealed via social media that he is creating a new watermelon-flavored sorbet, asking for public suggestions for naming options plus additional components.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” Mr. Cohen stated from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire in Palestine and calls for addressing the harm that occurred in the region.”

This particular fruit has emerged as an emblem of support for Palestinians due to its colors, that match those of the Palestinian flag – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism and Recent Changes

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in territories occupied by Israel, resulting in Unilever selling their Israel business over to an Israeli distributor, thereby permitting continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series will be developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious ice cream brand which was first established in 2016 for endorsing former political contender Bernie Sanders with the product "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Shifts plus Upcoming Intentions

Mr. Cohen stated how he will develop additional ice cream flavors that address issues which the company was prevented from addressing publicly due to corporate restrictions.

The announcement follows partner Mr. Greenfield resigned his position at the company recently, after many years of involvement, mentioning worries that the company's autonomy had been undermined after corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Ben Cohen stated how "Jerry has strong compassion and this conflict with Unilever was deeply distressing him."

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

• Corporate owner limitations regarding social activism
• Independent flavor creation by original creators
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Ongoing tensions between corporate ownership versus social mission