Why the Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever Relationship Is Melting Down | Eater
"A Vermont-based, outspokenly political ice cream company founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978 alleges in a proposed amended complaint that Unilever ousted CEO David Stever and that "Unilever’s motive for removing Mr. Stever is his commitment to [the company's] Social Mission and Essential Brand Integrity ... rather than any genuine concerns regarding his performance history." The core lawsuit, first filed in November, accuses Unilever of having "failed to recognize and respect ... [the company's] Social Mission and Brand Integrity, including threatening [the company's] personnel should the company speak regarding issues which Unilever prefers to censor," and claims Unilever "threatened to dismantle the Independent Board and sue the board members individually if the company — with its decades-long motto of ‘peace, love, & ice cream’ — issued the statement supporting ‘peace’ and a ‘ceasefire.’" According to the filing, suppressed content included support of Palestine and a ceasefire, support for visas for Palestinian refugees, support of pro-Palestine campus protests, backing a Bernie Sanders-led resolution to halt military aid to Israel, and attempts to criticize President Trump. The company notes that when Unilever acquired it in 2000 the deal allowed an independent board "empowered to protect and defend [the company's] brand equity and integrity," but the amendment alleges Unilever has "encroached on the Independent Board’s authority over the Social Mission" and even prevented posts commemorating Black History Month and a statement supporting the First Amendment that linked to an ACLU petition for the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident recently detained by ICE for participating in pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University. The amendment calls the suppression "reached startling new levels of oppressiveness — and irony." It also raises concerns about Unilever’s plans to spin off its ice cream unit (including Breyers, Magnum, and Talenti) to cut costs, alleging Unilever has "failed to engage" about how the imminent restructuring will "preserve the rights, duties, and obligations" that protect the company's social mission and the Independent Board’s authority. Despite the alleged suppression, the brand has continued activist messaging on social media—sharing posts supporting abortion care providers, promoting Black History Month, and calling for clemency for cannabis convictions (which President Biden granted before leaving office). While some have told the company to "stick to ice cream," it appears unlikely to back down anytime soon." - Bettina Makalintal
