Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's has taken on Home Secretary Priti Patel over moves to stem the surge in migrant Channel crossings - and received a chilly response.
The frosty exchange came after the company challenged the cabinet minister on Twitter and criticised the "lack of humanity" shown to those making the perilous journey.
But a Home Office source soon hit back, defending Ms Patel's handling of the crisis, adding if that meant upsetting the social media team "for a brand of overpriced junk food then so be it".
Ms Patel has been leading the government's response to the increase in numbers of migrants making the hazardous voyage during the calmer summer conditions at sea.
Criminal gangs demand thousands of pounds for passage on overcrowded small boats that often barely have enough fuel to reach UK waters.
More than 4,000 people have made it across the world's busiest shipping lane so far this year, with at least 597 arriving between Thursday and Sunday.
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The government has promised a "new, comprehensive action plan" to deal with the issue after holding talks with French officials.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also come under fire after calling migrant boat crossings a "very bad and stupid and dangerous and criminal thing to do".
Wading into the controversy, Ben & Jerry's posted a series of messages on Twitter taking the home secretary to task over moves to curb the crossings.
The company wrote: "Hey Priti Patel, we think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture.
"People wouldn't make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice."
It added: "Stronger' borders aren't the answer and only puts more lives at risk.
"Let's remember we're all human and have the same rights to life regardless of the country we happen to have been born in."
But Home Office insiders said Ms Patel would not be deterred from tackling the crisis.
"Priti is working day and night to bring an end to these small boat crossings, which are facilitated by international criminal gangs and are rightly of serious concern to the British people," the source said.
"If that means upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food then so be it."