Ben & Jerry’s is once again at the center of controversy after three members of its independent board were removed under newly introduced governance rules.
The ice cream brand confirmed that the changes include a nine-year term limit for board members. As a result, board chair Anuradha Mittal will step down immediately. Meanwhile, Daryn Dodson and Jennifer Henderson are expected to leave their positions by the end of the year.
The decision has triggered backlash from co-founder Ben Cohen, who called the move a “blatant power grab.” He warned that the new rules weaken the board’s authority and threaten the company’s independence.
Cohen praised the outgoing members, saying they acted with courage and integrity while protecting Ben & Jerry’s long-standing commitment to social justice. According to him, the board played a critical role in keeping the brand aligned with its original values.
This dispute is the latest chapter in a long-running conflict between Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company over social activism. The tension began during Unilever’s ownership and has now been inherited by The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which took control after Unilever’s recent spinoff.
Magnum said the governance changes are meant to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s values-based, non-partisan identity. However, Cohen warned that continued interference could seriously damage the brand.
Ben & Jerry’s was sold to Unilever in 2000 under a deal that guaranteed an independent board and full control over its social mission. Over time, disagreements emerged as the brand took firm political and ethical positions.
One major clash occurred in 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s stopped selling its products in Israeli-occupied territories. In response, Unilever sold the Israeli business to a local licensee.
