Unilever Blocked Pro-Palestine Ice Cream Flavor by Ben & Jerry's: Co-Founder
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder accuses Unilever of blocking plans for a pro-Palestine ice cream flavor, alleging a 'corporate attack on free speech'.
LONDON: A controversy has erupted within the Ben & Jerry’s brand as its co-founder Ben Cohen has accused Unilever, the parent company, of blocking plans to produce an ice cream flavor in support of Palestine.
This move comes despite approval from Ben & Jerry's independent board.Ben Cohen stated that Unilever's decision constitutes a 'corporate attack on free speech,' asserting that companies and individuals who value justice, freedom, and peace must take a stand, as this is 'the moment when it is most needed for Ben & Jerry’s to be able to raise its voice.' According to Cohen, efforts are underway to involve investors prioritizing social causes to purchase Ben & Jerry's from Unilever as part of his ‘Free Ben & Jerry’s’ campaign.Ben & Jerry’s, which was founded in Vermont in 1978 with a mission to 'advance human rights and dignity,' has a history of launching special flavors to advocate for various causes.
Previous campaigns have included flavors such as 'Save Our Swirled' ahead of the 2015 Paris climate meetings and 'Home Sweet Honeycomb' in support of refugees seeking asylum in Europe.Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 for $326 million, agreeing to allow the brand to maintain an independent board dedicated to social justice issues.
However, Cohen and co-founder Jerry Greenfield have reportedly had a strained relationship with Unilever, particularly concerning their response to the Gaza war.
Greenfield resigned from his position in September, citing the company's inability to operate independently.Ben & Jerry’s has previously taken a stance against selling products in Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, took legal action over Unilever's sale of its Israel operation to a local firm, and denounced the Gaza conflict as genocide.
Cohen now plans to create an ice cream flavor in solidarity with Palestine under his personal Ben’s Best brand.
He invites the public to contribute ideas for a watermelon-based flavor intended to symbolize 'rebuilding, peace, and dignity for the people of the region.'Magnum, Unilever's ice cream wing, has stated that Ben & Jerry’s is 'not for sale.' They clarified that the independent board members have never been responsible for the commercial strategy and execution.
Regarding the pro-Palestine flavor, Magnum indicated that the decision not to pursue it was based on a determination by Ben & Jerry’s leadership that the time was not right for such an investment.Unilever maintains its commitment to the brand's unique three-part mission—product, economic, and social—and expresses its intent to build upon Ben & Jerry’s success as 'an iconic, much-loved brand.' A Unilever spokesperson emphasized their efforts to honor the original agreement regarding the progressive, non-partisan social mission of Ben & Jerry's.
This move comes despite approval from Ben & Jerry's independent board.Ben Cohen stated that Unilever's decision constitutes a 'corporate attack on free speech,' asserting that companies and individuals who value justice, freedom, and peace must take a stand, as this is 'the moment when it is most needed for Ben & Jerry’s to be able to raise its voice.' According to Cohen, efforts are underway to involve investors prioritizing social causes to purchase Ben & Jerry's from Unilever as part of his ‘Free Ben & Jerry’s’ campaign.Ben & Jerry’s, which was founded in Vermont in 1978 with a mission to 'advance human rights and dignity,' has a history of launching special flavors to advocate for various causes.
Previous campaigns have included flavors such as 'Save Our Swirled' ahead of the 2015 Paris climate meetings and 'Home Sweet Honeycomb' in support of refugees seeking asylum in Europe.Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 for $326 million, agreeing to allow the brand to maintain an independent board dedicated to social justice issues.
However, Cohen and co-founder Jerry Greenfield have reportedly had a strained relationship with Unilever, particularly concerning their response to the Gaza war.
Greenfield resigned from his position in September, citing the company's inability to operate independently.Ben & Jerry’s has previously taken a stance against selling products in Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, took legal action over Unilever's sale of its Israel operation to a local firm, and denounced the Gaza conflict as genocide.
Cohen now plans to create an ice cream flavor in solidarity with Palestine under his personal Ben’s Best brand.
He invites the public to contribute ideas for a watermelon-based flavor intended to symbolize 'rebuilding, peace, and dignity for the people of the region.'Magnum, Unilever's ice cream wing, has stated that Ben & Jerry’s is 'not for sale.' They clarified that the independent board members have never been responsible for the commercial strategy and execution.
Regarding the pro-Palestine flavor, Magnum indicated that the decision not to pursue it was based on a determination by Ben & Jerry’s leadership that the time was not right for such an investment.Unilever maintains its commitment to the brand's unique three-part mission—product, economic, and social—and expresses its intent to build upon Ben & Jerry’s success as 'an iconic, much-loved brand.' A Unilever spokesperson emphasized their efforts to honor the original agreement regarding the progressive, non-partisan social mission of Ben & Jerry's.
