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Ben & Jerry alleges that parent company Unilever fired the CEO after serving in a role for less than two years between both parties that outweigh the political activities of the ice cream brand.
In a legal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday night, Ben & Jerry alleged that Unilever dismissed David Stever after failing to follow the parent company’s efforts to prevent Unilever from speaking out about political issues.
“Unilever repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry staff, including CEO David Stever.
“On March 3, 2025, Unilever informed the Independent Committee that he was removing and replacing Mr. Ben & Jerry as CEO.”
Unilever did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
The filing is the latest flare between the brand and its parent company about how Ben & Jerry communicates its “social mission” including a ceasefire call in Gaza and support for Palestinian refugees.
Last November, Ben & Jerry filed a complaint claiming Unilever blocked the call for a ceasefire in Gaza and prevented him from expressing support for Palestinian refugees. Unilever refused the claim.
The two sides have a history of differences in opinion over Israel and Palestine. Unilever was sued in 2022 after the parent company blocked an attempt to stop ice cream sales in the occupied territory by disposing of the brand’s Israeli arms to local licensees.
Producers of ice cream flavors such as Phish Food and Chunky Monkey were acquired by Unilever in 2000. Between the two, a merger agreement was attacked, and an independent committee was established to protect Ben & Jerry’s value and brand integrity.
The board alleges that Unilever “dismantles” it, suing individual members, violating the terms of the merger agreement.
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“Dave courageously advanced the company’s social mission and values,” said Anuradha Mittal, chairman of the Independent Committee.
“What Dave isn’t doing is what Unilever wants to do for him: overseeing the dismantling of the 2000 merger agreement that protected Ben & Jerry’s mission, progressive values, and Ben & Jerry’s position as a fully autonomous subsidiary,” she added.
Unilever, which makes daily products ranging from shampoos and laundry detergents to makeup, is in the process of separating its 8 billion euro revenue ice cream business with the aim of listing it in the Netherlands.
Stever was promoted to CEO in May 2023, and was previously Chief Marketing Officer at Ben & Jerry. He first joined the company in 1988 as a factory tour guide.
