Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has resigned after almost half a century at the iconic ice cream company. His decision comes amid a deepening dispute with parent company Unilever over the brand’s social activism. In a letter shared by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield said the company had lost its independence after Unilever restricted its ability to campaign on social issues. He described leaving as one of the hardest choices of his life but said he could no longer, in good conscience, remain at a company he felt had been silenced.
This conflict dates back to 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s stopped selling products in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. That move sparked backlash and legal battles, as Unilever argued the decision violated agreements. Although the 2000 merger deal was supposed to protect the company’s social mission, tensions escalated in recent years, with accusations that Unilever tried to prevent Ben & Jerry’s from publicly criticising political leaders.
See also: Tyler Perry Faces $260M Sexual Assault Lawsuit After Actor Derek Dixon’s Allegation
Unilever has pushed back on Greenfield’s claims, saying it has always tried to engage constructively with the brand’s founders and disagrees with his perspective. A spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company, now being spun off from Unilever, thanked Greenfield for his work but said the company is committed to maintaining Ben & Jerry’s values-based approach in other ways.
Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of speaking out on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, and social justice. However, recent clashes have highlighted growing friction over how far its activism should go under corporate ownership. Earlier this year, Unilever removed the brand’s chief executive David Stever, a move Ben & Jerry’s claimed violated their merger agreement. The company also alleged Unilever pressured it to stop criticising then-US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, co-founder Ben Cohen has continued to make headlines, including being arrested during a Senate protest over US military aid to Israel.
Greenfield’s exit marks a major turning point, raising questions about the future of the brand’s activist identity.
Comments
Post a Comment