Ben & Jerry accused Unilever, the owner of the company, of ousting the ice cream maker's chief executive over the brand's anti-Trump political activities.
London-based Unilever allegedly removed CEO David Stever following Ben & Jerry's “effort to silence social mission,” according to a court filing on Tuesday, according to a court filing on Tuesday.
Unilever started as a tour guide to the ice cream brand Waterbury factory in 1988, and then served as CEO since May 2023, Stever became CEO on March 3rd, and according to the complaint, “we have notified the Independent Committee.”
It was in violation of the 2000 merger agreement with Ben & Jerry, according to a complaint filed by Ben & Jerry. This “protects Ben & Jerry's interests by preventing the CEO from being removed unilaterally.”
Ulliever “has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry employees, including CEO David Stever,” Ben & Jerry stated an amended complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan.
It is unclear if Stever is still at work.
Unilever did not respond immediately to requests to post comments.
It's the latest in a fierce battle between Vermont-based ice cream companies, famous for its flavors such as thick monkeys and fish food, and aims to spin-offs and sell Ben & Jerry.
Ben & Jerry argues Unilever's control over posts on progressive issues has reached a “new level of oppression.”
Most recently, the company argued that Unilever hadn't made a post about Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian refugee whose green card was revoked after his involvement in an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University last year.
The post would have advocated for his release as Khalil remains in ICE custody.
According to the complaint, Unilever “did not provide an explanation of the censorship.”
In November, Ben & Jerry filed the first lawsuit accusing Unilever of shooting ice cream brands in public support of Palestinian refugees and resolutions to end military aid to Israel.
They also alleged that Unilever threatened to dismantle Ben & Jerry's board of directors and members of Sue.
In January, Ben & Jerry's claims “unilaterally banned” Unilever from posting about abortion, climate change and universal health care, as he mentioned President Trump.
Ben & Jerry said the parent company also blocked posts to celebrate the Black History Month in February.
Unilever, which also owns the brands Dove, Hellmann's and Vaseline, unexpectedly resigned as its own CEO last month.
Ben & Jerry founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are reportedly considering buying back the brand as they claim the companies are hampering their left-handed politics.
