Ben & Jerry's Reputation Faces Being Destroyed, Warns Founder Ben Cohen

That beloved ice cream brand risks being ruined should it stay with parent company Magnum, founder Ben Cohen has stated.

These statements form the latest chapter within an long-running conflict involving the Vermont-based brand with its parent firm over matters concerning social activism, autonomous governance, and core principles.

A Clash Regarding Values and Governance

The declaration coincides with the same day that the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) began being traded on the standalone company on European stock markets, following its separation from previous parent Unilever.

The company was sold by its founders in the year 2000 under an agreement which provided it a special degree of independence, including a separate governing board and control over its social mission.

Yet, disagreements have escalated in the years, culminating in the current impasse with new owner TMICC.

"Should Ben & Jerry's continues to be under its current owner, both the values be lost, also the heart of the brand is at risk," stated the co-founder.

Recent Flashpoints

• 2021: Ben & Jerry's decided to halt selling its products within disputed territories, an action which resulted in its then-owner divesting the brand's Israeli operation.
• October 2024: The founder claimed the brand was prevented from launching an ice cream intended to show "solidarity with Palestine."
• Governance Battle: Just before the demerger, Magnum declared that chairperson Anuradha Mittal “no longer meets the requirements to serve” after an internal audit, citing “material deficiencies with governance.”

The chair has rejected this assessment, labeling it a fabricated review – designed to attempt to discredit my position,” and that it was an attack on the independent board's authority itself.

“Not Fit to Own”

Cohen has argued that Magnum lacks the authority to decide who the chair of the independent board should be.”

Cohen stated, “Therefore, by trying to [change the chair], it is clear that Magnum is not fit to own Ben & Jerry's.”

The proposed solution is one of two options: securing a new group of owners who support its mission, alternatively an absolute “reversal” from Magnum in support of the current board's autonomy.

Risk of Becoming ‘Just Another Piece of Frozen Slush’

Cohen, still employed as a spokesperson for Ben & Jerry's, expressed fear saying the company’s dedicated following could become lost for good.

“As they erode Ben and Jerry's values, they will lose that following and they will destroy the brand itself,” he said.

“It'll become just another piece of ice cream slush which is just going to lose a lot of market share.”

Responding, a spokesperson for the Magnum Ice Cream Company emphasized that the brand is “not being sold” and that the company has “always respected” the brand’s commitment to activism.

The New Independent Business

This demerger establishes what is now the globe's biggest independent ice cream company.

Its stock began trading with an opening price of €12.20 during its first day of trading, under its anticipated reference price but later regain ground to close with a 1.3% gain.