(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sat 20th Dec, 2025) London, UK —
Magnum Faces Accusations of Silencing Advocacy by Ex-Ben & Jerry's Board Chair
The former chair of iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, Anuradha Mittal, has levelled serious accusations against Magnum, the brand's parent company, claiming it threatened her with a public defamation campaign. Mittal, who led Ben & Jerry's independent board for seven years, disclosed to the Reporters that Magnum had warned of releasing disparaging statements about her unless she relinquished her position.
This allegation has emerged amidst a growing feud concerning the Vermont-based ice cream maker's autonomy and its commitment to various social causes under its corporate umbrella. According to Magnum, an external investigation concluded that Mittal no longer fulfilled the necessary criteria to remain on the board.
Magnum, in a recent announcement, detailed revisions to the board's governance, including a tenure limit of nine years for its members. The company pointed out that these changes were partly due to an audit of the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, which exposed significant shortcomings in financial oversight and ethical governance.
Mittal recounted to the Reporters's World Business Report the intensifying clash with the brand's owner regarding its independence and moral objectives. “For years, we've been defending against their attempts to silence our advocacy for human rights and peace,” she stated.
The brand, celebrated for its creatively named flavors, was under the ownership of Unilever until the conglomerate divested its ice cream segment this month, founding the Magnum Ice Cream Company. Despite its sale to Unilever in 2000, Ben & Jerry's preserved its independent board and the privilege to uphold its social mission—often a bone of contention with Unilever.
A notable incident in 2021 saw Ben & Jerry's halt its sales in territories occupied by Israel, a move Unilever later counteracted by selling the Israeli business to a local entity. In addition, Ben Cohen, one of the original founders, has lamented restrictions on launching products supporting Palestine, showcasing ongoing disputes, now inherited by Magnum.
Mittal revealed, “Unilever-Magnum executives threatened to disparage me in their forthcoming prospectus unless I stepped down.” They allegedly offered her a significant role in a Unilever-funded charity as an incentive, which she declined, condemning the proposition as inappropriate.
Magnum, currently the largest ice cream producer globally, faces criticism not only from Mittal but also from Ben & Jerry's co-founders, Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen, the latter denouncing Magnum as unfit to own the brand. Despite these controversies, Magnum insists the recent measures are meant to bolster governance and maintain the brand's ethical mission.
Since its inception in 1978, Ben & Jerry's has been renowned for its inventively named flavors and strong social advocacy. Magnum reaffirms its dedication to Ben & Jerry's tripartite mission and its ambitious, politically neutral principles, aiming to sustain its legacy of pioneering social justice through its products and brand message.
This News Story is brought to you by QLM Business News, your Digital Media Channel.
Visit QLM businessnews.com for more business news stories. Also follow us on Facebook, X, and Youtube.
To help QLM Business News bring you more news stories like this, please like, share, and subscribe.
Unlock unparalleled business growth and effortlessly attract a stream of new customers through QLM Business News Sponsored Advertising. Elevate your brand's presence and captivate your target audience with precision. Visit QLMbusinessnews.com and click on “Advertise” to harness the power of strategic advertising. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to propel your business to new heights of success!
Disclaimer: All images presented herein are intended solely for illustrative purposes and may not accurately depict the true likeness of the subjects, objects, or individuals referenced in the accompanying news stories.
