Ben & Jerry's Claims Unilever Suppresses Social Mission Amid Peltz Influence

Published 11 hours agoUL

Ben & Jerry's Claims Unilever Suppresses Social Mission Amid Peltz Influence

Ben & Jerry's has brought attention to the growing influence of activist investor Nelson Peltz over its parent company, Unilever. The iconic ice cream brand alleges that Unilever is suppressing its social mission, highlighted by claims of edited social media posts that align with Peltz's political views, specifically his support for Donald Trump. Additionally, a dispute arose when Unilever blocked Ben & Jerry's attempt to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians, expressing concerns about the charity's supposed anti-Israel stance.

A major point of contention involves the abrupt departure of Ben & Jerry's CEO David Stever. The company accuses Unilever of pushing Stever out due to his backing of Ben & Jerry’s progressive activism. In response to these grievances, Ben & Jerry's has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charging Unilever with breaching a 2000 agreement that ensured the preservation of its social mission. This case underscores the discord between the iconic brand and its parent company.

Unilever, meanwhile, denies the accusations and asserts that Stever's resignation was voluntary, stating that CEO decisions are made after consulting Ben & Jerry's Independent Board. Reuters reported Unilever's plan to spin off its ice cream division, including Ben & Jerry's, into a standalone entity by July 1, 2025. The move is seen as an effort to resolve ongoing tensions and refocus each entity's direction.

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