New York, USA: Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, alleging that it violated a merger agreement by removing CEO David Stever without consultation in an attempt to suppress the ice cream brand’s long-standing “social mission.”
The legal filing, submitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that Unilever repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry’s leadership, including Stever, for failing to comply with efforts to curb its political activism.
The dispute follows years of tensions between the two companies over Ben & Jerry’s vocal stance on social and political issues. The brand, known for supporting causes such as LGBTQ+ rights and climate change, has increasingly clashed with Unilever over its statements on global conflicts.
The relationship deteriorated significantly in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in the West Bank, sparking controversy. The situation escalated over the past year as the company publicly advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In November, Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit claiming Unilever attempted to prevent it from expressing support for Palestinian refugees. More recently, the company accused Unilever of pressuring it to stop criticizing US President Donald Trump.
Stever, who has been with Ben & Jerry’s since 1988 and became CEO in 2023, was allegedly removed by Unilever without the required consultation with Ben & Jerry’s independent board, which was established in the 2000 merger to safeguard the brand’s values. The lawsuit claims Unilever sought to force the board into approving the decision without proper discussion.
Unilever responded by expressing disappointment that internal discussions were made public. A spokesperson stated that, per the acquisition agreement, decisions regarding the Ben & Jerry’s CEO—including appointment, compensation, and removal—are made by Unilever following “good faith consultation” with the independent board. The company urged the board to engage in discussions as per the agreed process.
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