Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s quits after 47 years, cites loss of independence under Unilever

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield said he is quitting the brand after 47 years, ahead of parent company Unilever’s planned spinoff of its ice-cream business as a separate entity.

- Aimee Look

In posts on Instagram and X, Greenfield said he decided to leave Ben & Jerry's because it was no longer allowed to stand behind social justice issues that were core to its business.

"It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone," he wrote in the social-media posts that were posted on co-founder Ben Cohen's account on Greenfield's behalf.

Unilever's ice-cream business, the Magnum Ice Cream Company, said it was grateful for Greenfield's role as co-founder and is dedicated to the company's mission of product, economic and social commitments.

"We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world," the company said.