Jerry Greenfield Resigns from Ben & Jerry’s, Accusing Unilever of Silencing the Brand’s Social Voice

Burlington, VT— Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has resigned after nearly five decades with the company, saying he can no longer stay on while parent company Unilever restricts the ice cream maker’s ability to speak out on social issues.

In a resignation letter shared by longtime partner Ben Cohen, Greenfield accused Unilever of undermining the brand’s independence — an autonomy that was explicitly written into the 2000 merger agreement when the socially conscious ice cream company sold to the multinational giant.

“For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice and human rights,” Greenfield wrote. “That independence … is gone.”

Tensions Boil Over

The split has been building for years. In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling products in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, sparking international backlash. The move became a flashpoint for conflict with Unilever, which later sought to limit the brand’s ability to weigh in on political and human rights debates.

Earlier this year, Greenfield and Cohen pushed for Ben & Jerry’s to be spun off from Unilever to restore its independence. That proposal was reportedly rejected, setting the stage for Greenfield’s decision to leave.

Unilever Responds

Unilever’s ice cream division, which also oversees Magnum, said it disagreed with Greenfield’s account but emphasized that it remains committed to the company’s founding values. A spokesperson said the brand would continue “to engage with both co-founders and maintain Ben & Jerry’s legacy of values-based leadership.”

What’s Next for the Brand

Greenfield’s resignation raises broader questions about whether mission-driven brands can maintain activist voices under the umbrella of multinational corporations. While Ben & Jerry’s continues to market itself as a champion of social justice, critics fear the loss of one of its founders could weaken its credibility in that space.

For now, the company faces the challenge of balancing its corporate parent’s caution with the outspoken activism that has long defined its identity — a tension that may shape not only Ben & Jerry’s future, but also serve as a test case for other socially conscious businesses navigating life inside global conglomerates.