Former Ben & Jerry’s Chair Accuses Owner of Threatening Smear Campaign

The former chair of Ben & Jerry’s independent board, Anuradha Mittal, has alleged that the company which owns the ice cream brand attempted to pressure her into stepping down by threatening to publish damaging claims about her.

Ms Mittal, who served as chair of the Vermont-based company’s independent board for seven years, told the BBC that Magnum Ice Cream Company warned it would release what she described as “defamatory statements” if she refused to resign. Her removal comes amid a long-running dispute over the brand’s independence and its ability to pursue social and political causes.

Magnum, which recently became the owner of Ben & Jerry’s after Unilever spun off its ice cream business, said Ms Mittal no longer met the requirements to remain on the board. The company said its decision followed an investigation carried out by external advisers.

In a statement issued on Monday, Magnum announced changes to Ben & Jerry’s governance structure, including a nine-year limit on board service. It said that, in addition to Ms Mittal, two other board members would also be required to step down under the new rules.

Magnum also disclosed the findings of an audit into the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, the brand’s charitable arm, saying it had uncovered “material deficiencies” in areas such as financial controls, governance and compliance, including conflicts of interest.

Speaking on the BBC’s World Business Report, Ms Mittal said tensions between Ben & Jerry’s board and its owner had intensified over what she described as attempts to curb the company’s social advocacy.

“For several years now, we have been resisting their overreach, including efforts to silence us on issues of human rights and peace,” she said.

Ben & Jerry’s was sold to Unilever in 2000 under an agreement that allowed the brand to retain an independent board and control over its social mission. That arrangement has repeatedly been a source of friction, most notably in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s stopped selling its products in Israeli-occupied territories.

Ms Mittal claimed that in October she was warned that negative statements about her would appear in Magnum’s prospectus unless she resigned. She also alleged that she was offered a senior role in a Unilever-funded non-profit organisation if she agreed to step aside, an offer she said she rejected.

Magnum denied wrongdoing, saying the changes were intended to strengthen governance and clarify the responsibilities of Ben & Jerry’s board. A spokesperson said the company remained committed to the brand’s three-part mission covering product quality, economic sustainability and social impact.

The dispute follows the departure of Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield in September, who said the brand’s social mission was being constrained. The other co-founder, Ben Cohen, has also criticised Magnum, saying it was not a suitable owner for the business.

Magnum, whose portfolio includes brands such as Wall’s, Cornetto and Carte D’Or, said Ben & Jerry’s would continue to advocate for social justice causes and maintain its progressive values.

Founded in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s built its reputation on both distinctive ice cream flavours and outspoken social activism, a combination that continues to shape its relationship with corporate owners.