Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Claims Unilever Blocked Palestine-Themed Ice Cream
Ben Cohen, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, has accused parent company Unilever of blocking the release of a new flavour intended to express solidarity with Palestine.
According to Cohen, the proposed flavour was part of the brand’s tradition of using its products to raise awareness for social and humanitarian causes. After Unilever allegedly stopped the initiative, Cohen announced that he would independently create and release the flavour under a personal project focused on causes that Ben & Jerry’s has been unable to publicly support.
Ben & Jerry’s has long been known for its activism and advocacy on global issues — from environmental sustainability to social justice and political awareness, including open commentary on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Cohen’s remarks have reignited tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever, which acquired the Vermont-based company in 2000. He also criticized Unilever’s ice cream arm, Magnum, which is currently being spun off, for allegedly preventing Ben & Jerry’s from fulfilling its social mission.