Ben & Jerry's Sues Unilever Over CEO Dismissal Amid Political Dispute

Ben & Jerry’s has filed a lawsuit against its parent company Unilever, claiming that the recent dismissal of CEO David Stever was unjust and violated their merger agreement. The ice cream brand alleges that Unilever removed Stever without consulting its independent board, which was established to protect the company's progressive social mission. Tensions between the two companies have grown, particularly after Ben & Jerry’s took a stand against selling ice cream in Israeli settlements and faced restrictions on expressing political views, including criticism of former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, which is an amendment to a previous case, seeks to prevent Unilever from dismantling Ben & Jerry's independent board and stifling its activism. Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry’s, by 2025, amid ongoing disputes over corporate governance and social responsibility. The case highlights the broader conflict between corporate interests and social activism within the ice cream company, known for its commitment to progressive values since its founding in 1978.