Ben & Jerry’s Founders Demand Independence Amid Unilever Ice Cream Spinoff

Ben & Jerry's co-founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, are urging Unilever and its upcoming spin-off entity, the Magnum Ice Cream Company, to allow Ben & Jerry's to regain its independence and operate outside of the conglomerate. They argue that the brand's founding mission of social justice and progressive values has been compromised and silenced under Unilever's ownership since 2000, especially regarding public criticism of political issues such as U.S. President Donald Trump and the Israel-Palestine conflict. The founders claim that Unilever has undermined commitments to maintain Ben & Jerry's autonomy, including firing the brand's CEO due to his support of its social mission and limiting Ben & Jerry's involvement in corporate decisions. They express concern that the planned spin-off will not free Ben & Jerry's from Unilever's influence, as the parent company will retain a significant stake in Magnum, continuing to overshadow the brand's unique identity. Cohen has even stated he would return the money received from the original sale if it meant Ben & Jerry's could be independent again. The founders emphasize that the brand's authenticity and activism are critical to its success and warn that stripping away these values risks destroying the brand's value and customer support.