Ben & Jerry’s, an ice cream chain with a strong social mission, has filed a complaint against its parent company Unilever in a New York court. The move comes after the firing of CEO David Stever on March 3. This is not the first time Ben & Jerry’s has taken Unilever to court, as the two companies have been at odds since 2021 over Israel policy.
Founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of campaigning on social issues such as the Cold War, hormone-treated beef, and climate change. When Unilever acquired the company in 2000, the founders requested an independent board to ensure the company’s ethical conduct.
However, despite this agreement, tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever have persisted. The companies disagree on Israel policy, which has led to partial withdrawal from the country by Ben & Jerry’s in 2021. This move was a protest against the occupation of occupied territories.
The dispute escalates with the firing of CEO Stever, prompting Ben & Jerry’s independent board to file a complaint against Unilever. The incident highlights the tension between Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social responsibility and Unilever’s corporate interests.
Source: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/03/21/ben-jerry-s-the-ice-cream-maker-and-its-independent-board-like-mission-driven-companies-are-no-longer-in-vogue_6739370_19.html