Ben & Jerry’s Accuses Unilever of Ousting CEO Over Social Activism in Escalating Legal Battle
Ben & Jerry’s Accuses Unilever of Ousting CEO Over Social Activism in Escalating Legal Battle
Ben & Jerry’s has intensified its legal confrontation with parent company Unilever, alleging that its CEO, David Stever, was fired in March 2025 as retaliation for the ice cream maker’s outspoken political activism. This accusation comes via an amended complaint filed in federal court, marking the latest escalation in a long-running dispute over Ben & Jerry’s brand independence and its commitment to social mission.
The Vermont-based company and five directors of its independent board originally sued Unilever in November 2024. The amended complaint now details a “campaign of professional reprisals” by Unilever, including the censorship of social media posts related to Black History Month, free speech, and support for Palestinian refugees. Ben & Jerry’s asserts these actions violate its 2000 merger agreement, which granted its independent board primary responsibility for its social mission.
Unilever, in response, maintains that decisions regarding the Ben & Jerry’s CEO are within its purview, following good-faith consultation with the independent board. The conglomerate has also filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the board lacks the right to sue on the company’s behalf and that the dispute stems from the board’s controversial stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Unilever claims has negatively impacted both companies.
The legal battle unfolds as Unilever prepares to separate its ice cream unit, including Ben & Jerry’s, into a standalone business by the end of 2025. Ben & Jerry’s lawsuit seeks court orders to compel Unilever to respect the independent board’s authority, release blocked donations to advocacy groups, and ensure that the impending restructuring does not diminish the board’s established powers.
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