Ben & Jerry’s has accused its parent company, Unilever, of unlawfully removing CEO Dave Stever in retaliation for his continued commitment to the brand’s long-standing tradition of progressive social advocacy.

In a legal filing submitted to federal court, Ben & Jerry’s argues that the firing violates the terms of its 2000 acquisition agreement with Unilever. That agreement established an independent board specifically tasked with preserving the ice cream maker’s social mission. According to the lawsuit, Unilever failed to consult the board and instead ousted Stever unilaterally—allegedly because of his efforts to keep the company aligned with causes like Palestinian rights, climate justice, and criminal justice reform.

Unilever denies the accusations and maintains that it has acted in accordance with the merger agreement. A spokesperson said the company has “consulted in good faith” and was disappointed the matter was made public.

The move comes after a long-standing tension between the Vermont-based brand and its London-based parent. In 2022, Ben & Jerry’s opposed Unilever’s decision to override its ban on selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. That standoff resulted in a previous lawsuit, which was eventually settled.

This latest legal escalation signals a deepening rift between corporate power and activist branding. While Unilever markets Ben & Jerry’s as a socially conscious company, its internal actions continue to suggest limits to how far that mission is allowed to go.

Reported by Casey Clearview for The Crustian Daily.