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Ben & Jerry's Removes "All Natural" Claims

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:00:30 PDT

In an interesting move, progressive ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's, long known for its civic-oriented campaigns and eco-friendly packaging, announced yesterday that it would phase out claims of "All Natural" on frozen desserts that contain processed or artificial ingredients. The brouhaha began when public health advocacy Center for Science in the Public Interest sent a letter to Ben & Jerry's parent company, Unilever, alleging nearly 50 products, including ice cream flavors Cherry Garcia and Creme Brulee, were mislabeled, as they contained ingredients such as alkalized cocoa, maltodextrin, corn syrup, and artificial vanilla.Although the Vermont-based ice creamery wasn't violating any label laws, it has nonetheless decided to phase out the term "all natural" in many of its products. "We are confident that Ben & Jerry's products are 'All Natural' as reasonable consumers would understand that term. However we don't want there to be any questions," CEO Jostein Solheim responded in a letter to the health watchdog group. I think this is a respectable move on the part of Ben & Jerry's and hope other companies have the good sense to follow suit, as to not mislead consumers. What do you think of the announcement?

Source: Flickr User _rockinfree

Calories in Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:30:00 PDT

We all know that Ben & Jerry's ice cream is totally rich and decadent, and not exactly the healthiest thing on the planet. But then again, that's why we crave it! Just how bad are these pints of goodness for us? Take a look at the nutritional breakdown below. If the calorie content shocks you, it's good to know that they make healthier alternatives like fro yo and sorbets.

1/2 cup (1/4 of the pint)	Calories	Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Americone Dream	270	15	65	30	24	3
Banana Split	250	15	65	27	25	3
Boston Cream Pie	250	13	90	29	26	3
Cake Batter	260	16	65	27	23	4
Cheesecake Brownie	250	14	70	27	24	3
Cherry Garcia	240	13	60	28	23	4
Chocolate	250	14	40	25	21	4
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough	270	14	65	33	25	4
Chocolate Fudge Brownie	260	12	40	34	27	4
Chubby Hubby	340	20	55	33	25	7

If you don't see your favorite flavor, keep reading

Are These Ben & Jerry's Flavors Real or Fake?

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:00:14 PDT

Even if you aren't a fan of Ben & Jerry's - though I don't know what's not to like - you have to admit, their flavor names are some of the best in the business. After inventing and naming my own flavor, I'm even more amazed with the creative labels, whether they're paying homage to gay marriage or Stephen Colbert. In honor of National Ice Cream Month, can you tell which of these flavors are real and which are fake?

Take the Quiz

Creating My Own Ice Cream Flavor at the Ben & Jerry's Factory

YumSugar — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:15:43 PDT

Sweet, creamy, refreshing, and decadent, ice cream is one of my favorite desserts. And who doesn't love Ben & Jerry's? Their unique concoctions satisfy any sweet tooth. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury, VT, where the magic of ice-cream-making happens. I got a personal tour, learned how ice cream flavors are invented, and created and named my own flavor! Curious to know what I came up with? Read on.

Ben & Jerry's Renames Flavor in Honor of Gay Marriage

YumSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:45:17 PDT

Beginning today, a Vermont law recognizing gay marriage goes into effect - and, to celebrate, ice cream company Ben & Jerry's is renaming popular seller "Chubby Hubby." The new name? "Hubby Hubby."

While Ben & Jerry's isn't changing the labels on "Chubby Hubby" pints sold in stores - revising product labels takes 18 months - a wedding-themed truck will hand out free "Hubby Hubby" ice cream across the state today, including at the Vermont capitol. The creamery's six in-state ice cream parlors will also sell limited-edition "Hubby Hubby" sundaes during the month of September.

Still, the company, which has been known to rename its ice cream flavors after liberal causes, hasn't ruled out the idea of retailing "Hubby Hubby" in the future. “The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction, and something worth celebrating with peace, love - and plenty of ice cream,” Ben & Jerry’s CEO explained.

What do you think of yet another Ben & Jerry's political move? If you're motivated to buy products for reasons other than taste, would you be more likely to buy a pint if it were renamed "Hubby Hubby"?

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Ben & Jerry's Celebrates 31 Years With Free Cones

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:30:23 PDT

If your weather's been unseasonably hot like it is here in San Francisco, you might be looking for ways to stay cool. Look no further than Ben & Jerry's, where tomorrow stores will be giving away free ice cream cones in honor of the chain's 31st birthday.

There's no coupon required: Simply walk into your closest B&J's anytime between noon and 8 p.m., scope out a choice flavor, and be on your merry way.

Now onto important decisions: Shall I stick with the classic Phish Food, or check out the newfangled Mission to Marzipan? What free flavor will you be hitting up?

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Ben and Jerry's vs. Haagen-Dazs: A Pint-Sized Battle

partysugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:15:05 PDT

There's been some heated public debates between competing brands. The latest two companies to join the feuding? Ice cream giants Haagen-Dazs and Ben and Jerry's. To pay for the high costs of natural and top-quality ingredients, Haagen-Dazs has reduced the size of its pints from 16 to 14 ounces. Despite the decrease in packaging, Haagen-Dazs still calls its container a "pint." Ben and Jerry's is highly offended by this "downright wrong" move, and pledged, in a statement, to provide consumers the same quantity and quality in its product:

One of our competitors (think funny-sounding European name) recently announced they will be downsizing their pints from 16 to 14 ounces to cover increased ingredient and manufacturing costs and help improve their bottom line. We understand that in today's hard economic times businesses are feeling the pinch. We also understand that many of you are also feeling the same, and think now more than ever you deserve your full pint of ice cream.

While I understand that many brands are shrinking their products, I have to side with Ben and Jerry's; it's not fair to call something a pint when it's not one. How do you feel about the debate?

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All the News That's Fit to Eat - Jan. 7, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:30:31 PST

Try your hand at Gordon Ramsay's pineapple soufflé with Thai curry ice cream. - Los Angeles Times
Top 20 wine leaps to take in 2009. - Wall Street Journal
Due to the shortage of bluefin tuna, a 282-pound premium tuna sold for $104,700. - Associated Press
In Britain, squirrel is the newest protein to come to the table. - New York Times
How two young men plan to convince our new president to grow a garden on the White House lawn. - Washington Post
In the thick of Winter, turn to citrus to brighten your palate. - San Francisco Chronicle
Keeping inexpensive staples around is the key to eating gourmet on a budget. - Chicago Tribune
Just in time for the Inauguration, Ben & Jerry's has named on of its flavors "Yes Pecan!" - New York Daily News
In a taste test of toasted O's cereals, Cheerios didn't come in first. - Boston Globe

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Ben & Jerry's Breast Milk Ice Cream?

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:00:00 PDT

When I read the post on GiggleSugar about the obscure Craigslist ad requesting people to suggest flavors for their homemade breast milk ice cream, I thought it was a joke. Apparently not. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is also hopping on the breast milk ice cream boat and are now urging Ben & Jerry's to make the switch from cow's milk to breast milk.

Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, sent a letter directly to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, saying PETA feels the transition away from cow's milk will reduce the suffering of cows and provide customers with healthier products (Um, since when is ice cream considered healthy?). The letter also said that dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies, and obesity. Another PETA representative said she knew this idea sounded crazy, but it's no more absurd than humans consuming milk from another species.

To find out if Ben & Jerry's is going to start a new line of bosom milk ice cream

How Fattening Is Ben & Jerry's?

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:30:00 PDT

What would Summer be without ice cream? I know that eating that sweet creamy coldness every day wouldn't be the healthiest move, but every once in a while I've got to splurge. Ben & Jerry's is a popular brand because their ice cream is so scrumptious. It's made with real cream, eggs, and chunks of candy, but how bad for you is it? Take this quiz to find out.

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