Thu Mar 20 11:03:05 UTC 2025: ## Ben & Jerry’s Sues Unilever, Claims CEO Firing Violates Merger Agreement

**New York, NY –** Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, alleging a breach of their merger agreement following the firing of CEO David Stever. The ice cream company claims Unilever ousted Stever for his support of the brand’s long-standing social activism, a core tenet of Ben & Jerry’s identity since its acquisition by Unilever in 2000.

The lawsuit alleges that Unilever, contrary to the terms of the merger which established an independent board to protect Ben & Jerry’s values, repeatedly threatened Stever and other personnel to silence their social mission. This conflict intensified after Ben & Jerry’s announced a halt to sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2021 and subsequently pushed for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Unilever maintains that the CEO’s removal followed proper procedure, involving consultation with the independent board, and adhered to the acquisition agreement’s stipulations regarding executive appointments. However, Ben & Jerry’s counters that Unilever acted unilaterally, attempting to force the board to approve the decision. A Unilever spokesperson expressed disappointment that the matter became public.

The dispute extends beyond Stever’s dismissal. Ben & Jerry’s alleges Unilever interfered with its planned Black History Month activities and prevented the company from publicly supporting Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist. Further accusations include Unilever’s alleged suppression of Ben & Jerry’s criticism of former US President Donald Trump.

This legal battle comes as Unilever plans to divest its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry’s, later this year. The case, currently pending in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, highlights the ongoing tension between corporate social responsibility and the control exerted by parent companies. The outcome could significantly impact the future of socially conscious brands and their ability to maintain independent voices within larger corporate structures.

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