Ben & Jerry's says parent Unilever decided to oust ice cream maker's CEO
Ben & Jerry's said its parent company, Unilever, decided to oust the ice cream maker's chief executive, Dave Stever, escalating a battle over the subsidiary's independence on social policy issues.
In a Tuesday night filing in Manhattan federal court, Ben & Jerry's said Unilever advised on March 3 it was 'removing and replacing' Stever, after repeatedly threatening Ben & Jerry's personnel if they did not comply with the parent's 'efforts to silence the social mission.'
Stever was named chief executive in May 2023, having been with Ben & Jerry's since being hired as a tour guide in 1988.
The new accusations came in Ben & Jerry's lawsuit seeking to stop Unilever's alleged efforts to dismantle its independent board and end its social activism.
They were included in a proposed amended complaint, which Ben & Jerry's needs court permission to file.
Unilever had faced a Wednesday deadline to seek dismissal of Ben & Jerry's earlier complaint.
Ben & Jerry's has had a socially conscious mission since its 1978 founding by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's in 2000. The companies have been at odds since 2021 when Ben & Jerry's halted sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. That business was later sold.
Many companies have retreated on social policies that Donald Trump and other conservatives deem too liberal, as the US president seeks to reshape the federal government and parts of corporate America.
Last month, Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of unilaterally banning it from publicly criticizing Trump, ostensibly because of the 'new dynamic.'
Unilever plans to spin off Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Magnum and other ice cream brands later this year, as it simplifies a product portfolio whose dozens of other brands include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Surf and Vaseline.
The case is Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc v Unilever et al, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-08641.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Spain cancels contract for anti-tank missiles built by Israeli company
MADRID — Spain has canceled a deal to purchase anti-tank missile systems that were to be manufactured in Madrid by a subsidiary of an Israeli company in a bid to move away from Israeli military technology, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. The decision will affect the license for 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems with an estimated value of €285 million. The systems would have been developed in Spain by Pap Tecnos, a Madrid-based subsidiary of Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, local media said. "The goal is clear...a total disconnection from Israeli technology," government spokesperson Pilar Alegría told reporters, adding the government is studying "the effects of the cancellation." Israel's Defense Ministry referred questions on the decision back to Rafael, which declined to comment. Pap Tecnos has not issued a comment either. Spain approved the deal on 3 October 2023 four days before the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. That attack left around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, dead. Hamas took 251 people as hostages, and is currently still holding 58 in Gaza, of whom fewer than 24 are believed to still be alive. Spain's leftist government says it stopped exporting arms to Israel as of 2 October that year, but there where reports some shipments slipped through. Authorities argued at the time that the systems used by the Spanish forces were obsolete and should be replaced for up-to-date versions like those used by allied armies. Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024 in a coordinated effort with Norway and Ireland. A month later, Spain became the first European country to ask the top United Nations court, the International Court of Justice, permission to join a case mounted by South Africa that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies the charge. There has been growing concern in the west about the Israeli military offensive in Gaza which has to date killed 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry whose figures do not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Last week, Israel's Foreign Ministry accused French President Emmanuel Macron of being on a "crusade against the Jewish state," after he urged the international community to harden its stance towards Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn't improve. "There is no humanitarian blockade. This is a blatant lie," the ministry said, defending its control over the flow of aid into the enclave. "But instead of putting pressure on jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt his national holiday will be October 7," the statement said, referring to the 7 October 2023 militant attack on Israel. During a three-hour televised interview earlier in May, Macron said Europe should consider sanctioning Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands are thought to be now facing starvation. And last month, the UK government said it was suspending free trade negotiations with Israel and had introduced new sanctions on settlements in the West Bank as Westminster ramped up its criticism of the ongoing military operation in Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK's existing trade agreement with Israel remains in effect but the government couldn't continue discussions with an administration pursuing what he called "egregious" policies in the two territories. Those remarks followed a joint condemnation he issued on 19 May with Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that marked one of the most significant criticisms by close allies of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza and its actions in the West Bank. — Euronews
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Oman delivers US nuclear proposal to Iran
MUSCAT — Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi delivered a new US proposal to Iran on Saturday in an effort to revive stalled indirect nuclear negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed. Araghchi said in a post on X that Al-Busaidi made a 'short visit' to Tehran to convey 'elements of a US proposal,' adding that Iran would deliver an 'appropriate response' consistent with its principles, national interests, and the rights of its people. The proposal follows the fifth round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, held on May 23 in Rome under Oman's mediation. Araghchi described that round as 'one of the most professional,' highlighting that Iran had clearly expressed its positions during the discussions. According to Araghchi, both sides exchanged views in Rome, and Oman presented its proposals, which were taken back to Washington and Tehran for review. No date has been set for a sixth round of negotiations amid sharp divisions over Iran's uranium enrichment program. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal quoted unnamed US officials as saying the Trump administration plans to present Iran with a formal proposal — described as a 'term sheet' — demanding a halt to uranium enrichment as a precondition for a potential agreement. One senior official reportedly warned, 'If they don't accept these terms, it's not going to be a good day for the Iranians.' Analysts believe the US proposal is designed to address Israeli security concerns, as Israel remains strongly opposed to any Iranian nuclear capability. Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday, Iran dismissed a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that claimed Tehran has doubled its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. The IAEA estimated Iran now holds 408.6 kilograms—an amount potentially sufficient for nine nuclear weapons if further enriched. Iran labeled the report 'baseless' and accused the agency of engaging in political maneuvering. The IAEA's findings have heightened international concern, as tensions escalate across the region. Israeli media have reported that Tel Aviv is preparing for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. However, US President Donald Trump has reportedly urged Israel to refrain from any military action, fearing a broader regional conflict. — Agencies
Leaders
7 days ago
- Leaders
Saudi FM Arrives in Jordan for Gaza Meeting
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has arrived in Amman, the capital of Jordan, to participate in a meeting on Gaza, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. On Saturday, Prince Faisal bin Farhan landed in Amman to take part in a meeting of the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on the developments in the Gaza Strip. The meeting will explore ways to support efforts to end the war and blockade on Gaza. The meeting originally aimed to coordinate a visit to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, scheduled on Sunday. However, the visit was postponed due to Israel's decision to prevent the Arab delegation from meeting the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, according to Jordan's Foreign Ministry. The delegation, which include the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE, condemned the Israeli ban as a 'blatant violation' of Israel's obligations as an occupying power. The Saudi Foreign Minister traveled to Jordan right after an official visit to Syria, where he met with the Syrian Transitional President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Damascus. Prince Faisal was accompanied by a high-level economic delegation to discuss avenues for joint cooperation aimed at supporting Syria's economy, enhancing the development of its governmental institutions, and fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The discussions led to the announcement of a Saudi-Qatari joint financial support package for Syrian public sector employees for three months, according to Saudi Gazette. 'This support aims to contribute to economic and social stability, improve living conditions, and reinforce development efforts in Syria,' Saudi Arabia and Qatar said in a joint statement. Short link : Post Views: 62
