Ben & Jerry's Co-Creator Shockingly Quits After 47 Years

One of the co-founders of the iconic Ben & Jerry's ice cream brand has quit the company, saying he can't "in good conscience" remain at his post after 47 years.

Jerry Greenfield, who started the ice cream brand alongside friend Ben Cohen in 1978, is leaving his position, claiming he feels stifled and unable to pursue the company's trademark social activism under the ownership of British consumer giant Unilever.

In an open letter shared by Cohen Tuesday night, Greenfield called the decision "one of the hardest and most painful" he's ever made. He also lamented the company's loss of "the independence to pursue our values," which Greenfield said had been a guarantee in its sale to Unilever back in 2000.

"It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone," he added.

An ongoing conflict since 2021

Ben & Jerry's, which has always spoken out in favor of progressive political and social causes, has been at odds with Unilever since 2021. That year, the ice cream brand said it would stop selling its products in the West Bank.

In 2022, Unilever sold off Ben & Jerry's Israel operation to a local outfit. But last November, Ben & Jerry's filed suit against the global corporation, claiming Unilever was silencing their advocacy for Palestinian rights.

After 47 years, Jerry has made the difficult decision to step down from the company we built together. I’m sharing his words as he resigns from Ben & Jerry’s. His legacy deserves to be true to our values, not silenced by @MagnumGlobal #FreeBenAndJerrys pic.twitter.com/EZXGRjs76a

— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) September 17, 2025

It's not just about Israel

In his resignation letter, Greenfield called out the current United States presidential administration, which he says is "attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women and the LGBTQ community."

"Standing up for the values of justice, equity and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry's has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power," Greenfield said.

"It's easy to stand up and speak out when there's nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose."

Unilever responds

A spokesperson for Magnum Ice Cream Company, the Unilever subsidiary that owns Ben & Jerry's, issued an official response to Greenfield's letter in a statement.

"We disagree with (Greenfield's) 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 spokesperson said, via CBS News.

"We remain committed to Ben & Jerry's unique three-part mission – product, economic and social – and remain focused on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream of this iconic, much-loved brand."

Magnum is in the process of spinning off from Unilever and is expected to begin standalone operations later this fall.