Unilever Stops Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder from Launching Palestine-Themed Ice Cream: What You Need to Know

Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, recently shared that Unilever, the ice cream brand’s parent company, blocked him from launching a new flavor meant to support Palestine. This move underscores a growing rift between Cohen and Unilever, which purchased Ben & Jerry’s in 2000.

Cohen plans to create an independent watermelon-flavored sorbet to highlight causes he believes in. The watermelon is often seen as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine, due to its colors resembling the Palestinian flag. In a video, he expressed his desire to make a dessert that calls for peace and healing in the region. “I’m doing what they couldn’t,” he stated, emphasizing the message behind the new flavor.

This isn’t the first time Ben & Jerry’s has stirred controversy. In 2021, the company decided to stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territories. After that decision, Unilever sold Ben & Jerry’s Israeli operations to a local company, ensuring the ice cream would still be available in those regions.

Cohen’s new line, “Ben’s Best,” aims to bring attention to issues that Ben & Jerry’s had to remain silent about due to corporate decisions. The brand originally launched in 2016 to support Bernie Sanders, debuting with a flavor called “Bernie’s Back.”

The tension with Unilever has impacted company leadership. Jerry Greenfield, Cohen’s long-time partner, stepped down recently, voicing concerns over the company’s independence. Both co-founders share a commitment to the social mission that inspired their brand nearly 40 years ago.

Surveys indicate that consumers today value brands that stand for social causes. In fact, a study found that 70% of millennials prefer to buy from socially responsible companies. This trend shows a changing landscape where customers might support Cohen’s independent efforts even more than a big corporation’s stance.

In summary, Ben Cohen’s new flavor is more than just ice cream; it’s a bold statement about corporate values and activism. His journey reflects a broader desire for businesses to stand firm in their beliefs, especially in a rapidly evolving social climate.



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