US ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s has accused its parent company, Unilever, of removing its CEO, David Stever, over his role in the company’s political activism, BBC reported.
The ice cream maker filed a lawsuit in a US court, alleging that Unilever violated their merger agreement by trying to suppress Ben & Jerry’s “social mission,” which has been a key part of its identity since its founding in 1978.
The move comes amid a long-standing conflict between the two companies, particularly over Ben & Jerry’s public position on social issues. In the legal filing with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Ben & Jerry’s claimed that Unilever had repeatedly threatened its leadership, including Stever, in efforts to curtail its activism.
The ice cream maker argued that these threats escalated after its outspoken positions on various issues, such as climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and its decision to halt sales in the occupied West Bank in 2021.
Ben & Jerry’s also pointed to an incident last month, when the company said Unilever tried to prevent it from criticizing President Donald Trump. The ice cream brand has faced increasing tension with its parent company over its advocacy for Palestinian refugees and support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The lawsuit claims that Stever’s ousting was done without consultation, which is a violation of the terms of the merger agreement. Ben & Jerry’s alleges that Unilever attempted to force its independent board into approving the decision without the required discussion.
Stever, who has been with Ben & Jerry’s since 1988, was appointed CEO in 2023. He previously worked as a tour guide before rising through the ranks of the company.
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