Ben & Jerry's Clashes With Unilever: Founder Quits
Jerry Greenfield (left) and Ben Cohen (right), founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, 2010. Photo by Dismas under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Jerry Greenfield is walking away from Ben & Jerry's after 47 years, and he's not just leaving a job. He's stepping back from a brand he helped build into a symbol of activism and social justice. Now, he claims it has become a muted shadow of its former self. The ice cream company, once known for its bold stances on peace, equity, and human rights, is reportedly caught in a tug-of-war between its founding ideals and the corporate power of its parent company, Unilever.
A Bitter Scoop: The End of an Era
Jerry Greenfield's departure marks a dramatic moment for a company that has long blended creamy treats with a side of activism. In a letter released by his co-founder Ben Cohen on X, formerly Twitter, Greenfield said he could no longer remain "in good conscience" at Ben & Jerry's because "that independence ... is gone," as reported by the Associated Press. He expressed disappointment that the freedom the company once had to speak out "in support of peace, justice and human rights," has been stifled under Unilever's ownership. Greenfield noted that this loss of independence comes "at a time when our country's current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community," as reported by Business Insider.
Greenfield's role as a salaried brand ambassador came to an end after 47 years. He described his decision as one of the "hardest and most painful" he has ever made, as reported by Business Insider. He lamented that the company he and Cohen started in 1978 was no longer the platform for justice and equity it once was. According to Greenfield, Ben & Jerry's has been silenced and sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.
The Corporate Chill: Unilever's Role
Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's in 2000 for a $326 million. The merger agreement allowed the ice cream brand to maintain a social mission board with authority over its activism. This arrangement was meant to preserve the company's progressive voice even as it became part of a global conglomerate. However, tensions have escalated in recent years. The brand's decision to stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in 2021 reportedly sparked a fierce backlash from Unilever. This led to legal battles and public disputes.
Unilever is currently spinning off its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry's, into a stand-alone company called The Magnum Ice Cream Company. This spin-off is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Greenfield and Cohen have pushed for Ben & Jerry's to regain full independence. They argue that the brand should not be part of a corporation that does not support its founding mission. Magnum's spokesperson disagreed with Greenfield's perspective but expressed gratitude for his decades of service. The spokesperson added, "We remain committed to Ben & Jerry's unique three-part mission — product, economic and social — and remain focused on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream of this iconic, much-loved brand," as reported by Business Insider.
Activism on Ice: The Brand's Bold History
Ben & Jerry's has never been just about ice cream. From the beginning, the company used its platform to champion causes like racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and environmental sustainability. According to Business Insider, flavors like "Yes Pecan" celebrated Barack Obama's presidential campaign. "Change in Brewing" was released in response to calls for police reform after George Floyd's death. The brand has also reportedly supported movements such as Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter. It often stood out as one of the few major companies willing to take controversial stances.
The founders have been vocal in their activism. In May 2025, Ben Cohen was reportedly arrested during a protest against the war in Gaza at a US Senate hearing. This underscored the personal commitment behind the brand's political engagement. Yet, Greenfield's exit signals a growing divide between the company's activist roots and the corporate realities imposed by Unilever and its spin-off Magnum Ice Cream Company.
Legal Battles and Allegations
Ben & Jerry's has alleged that Unilever unlawfully removed its CEO, David Stever, in March 2024. According to the Associated Press, the company claims this violated the merger agreement that requires consultation with an advisory committee from Ben & Jerry's board before such decisions. This claim is part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by Ben & Jerry's. The legal process has yet to reach a conclusion.
In November 2024, Ben & Jerry's filed another lawsuit accusing Unilever of silencing the company's statements related to the Gaza conflict. The lawsuit reportedly alleges that Unilever refused to allow Ben & Jerry's to release a social media post addressing issues it believed would be challenged during President Donald Trump's second term. These issues included minimum wages, universal health care, abortion, and climate change. The lawsuit is ongoing.
A Moral Crossroads
Greenfield's resignation is more than a personnel change. It is a public reckoning over the soul of a brand that once dared to mix business with bold social statements. His departure highlights the tension between conviction and compliance, values and corporate interests. The brand that once invited consumers to "spread love" and "fight for equity" now faces accusations of being silenced and sidelined, according to Greenfield and legal filings.
Unilever's spokesperson said the company has sought "to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world," as reported by the Associated Press. However, the ongoing legal disputes and public disagreements suggest that the relationship remains strained.
What This Means for You
As Unilever prepares to spin off its ice cream business, the future of Ben & Jerry's activism remains uncertain. Will the brand reclaim its voice, or will it continue to be muted by corporate interests? For now, Jerry Greenfield's exit is a stark reminder that even the most iconic brands can face a moral crisis when ideals clash with business realities.
References: Why Jerry Greenfield is leaving Ben & Jerry's after 47 years | Ben without Jerry as ice cream co-founder exits after feud with Unilever over Gaza | Ben & Jerry's Cofounder Jerry Greenfield Quits Over 'Silenced' Activism
