Editing Ben & Jerry's

{{Short description|American ice cream company}}
{{redirect|B&J|the beverage company|Bartles & Jaymes|the music retailer|Buegeleisen and Jacobson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings, Inc.
| logo = Ben and jerry logo.svg
| logo_alt = A black crescent with a thin interior orange border, followed by the text "Ben & Jerry's".
| logo_caption = 
| image = Ben & Jerry's factory.jpg
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Factory in [[Waterbury, Vermont]]
| trade_name = Ben & Jerry's
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Food processing]] [[Franchising]]
| genre = 
| founded = {{Start date and age|1978|05|05}} in [[Burlington, Vermont]], U.S.
| founders = {{unbulleted list|[[Ben Cohen (businessman)|Ben Cohen]]|[[Jerry Greenfield]]}}
| hq_location = 
| hq_location_city = [[South Burlington, Vermont]]
| hq_location_country = United States
| num_locations = 558<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/benjerrys/291399 |title=Ben & Jerry's location count|work=[[Entrepreneur (magazine)|Entrepreneur]] |access-date=April 17, 2024}}</ref>
| num_locations_year = 2019
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = 
| products = [[Ice cream]]
| brands = 
| services = 
| num_employees = 
| num_employees_year = 
| parent = [[Unilever]]
| divisions = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.benjerry.com}}
}}

'''Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc.''', trading and commonly known as '''Ben & Jerry's''', is an American company that manufactures [[ice cream]], [[frozen yogurt]], and [[sorbet]]. Founded in 1978 in [[Burlington, Vermont]], the company went from a single ice cream parlor to a multinational brand over the course of a few decades. The company was sold in 2000 to the British multinational [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] [[Unilever]] but operates as an independent subsidiary. Its present-day headquarters is in [[South Burlington, Vermont]], with its factory in [[Waterbury, Vermont]].

Ben & Jerry's is known for their original flavors, many of which incorporate foods and desserts mixed with ice cream. Some of these flavors have been themed after musicians, comedians, and public figures, such as [[Jerry Garcia]], [[Stephen Colbert]], [[Jimmy Fallon]], [[Colin Kaepernick]], and [[Phish]]. The company and its two founders have also been noted for their political activism and advocacy for social justice. This includes the way their products have been manufactured, marketed, and distributed.

==History==
===Founding===
[[File:Ben and Jerry.jpg|thumb|[[Jerry Greenfield]] (left) and [[Ben Cohen (businessman)|Ben Cohen]] in 2010]]

The company was founded by [[Ben Cohen (businessman)|Ben Cohen]] and [[Jerry Greenfield]], who had been friends since their childhood in [[Merrick, New York]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/18/magazine/passing-the-scoop-ben-jerry.html |title=Passing the Scoop; Ben & Jerry|last=Dreifus|first=Claudia |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=limited |date=December 18, 1994 |access-date=April 3, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Although Greenfield finished college, he was unable to get into medical school. Cohen dropped out of school.<ref name=History/> In 1977, Cohen and Greenfield completed a [[correspondence course]] on ice cream making from [[Pennsylvania State University]]'s [[Penn State University Creamery|creamery]]. Cohen has severe [[anosmia]], a lack of a sense of smell, so he relies on [[mouthfeel]] and texture to provide variety in his diet. This led to the company's trademark chunks being mixed in with their ice cream.<ref name=History/> On May 5, 1978, with a $12,000<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=Our History |url=http://www.benjerry.com/company/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325004518/http://www.benjerry.com/company/history/ |archive-date=March 25, 2010 |access-date=April 2, 2010 |publisher=Ben & Jerry's}}</ref> investment ({{Inflation|US|12000|1978|r=-3|fmt=eq}}), Cohen and Greenfield opened an [[ice cream parlor]] in a renovated gas station in downtown [[Burlington, Vermont]]. In 1979, they marked their anniversary by holding the first "free cone day", now an annual event at every Ben & Jerry's store, from that year to 2019, and resuming in 2023.<ref name=History/>
[[File:A_Ben_&_Jerry's_ice_cream_shop_in_Place_Jacques-Cartier,_Montreal,_Canada_03.jpg|thumb|The interior of a Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor]]
In 1980, Cohen and Greenfield rented space in an old spool and [[bobbin]] mill on South Champlain Street in Burlington and started packing their ice cream in pints. The first Ben & Jerry's franchise opened in 1981, on [[U.S. Route 7|Route 7]] in [[Shelburne, Vermont]]. In 1983, Ben & Jerry's ice cream was used to build "the world's largest [[Sundae|ice cream sundae]]" in [[St. Albans (city), Vermont|St. Albans, Vermont]]; the sundae weighed {{convert|27102|lb|kg}}. That same year, the cows on their cartons were redesigned by local artist Woody Jackson.<ref>Dan Chu and Martha Babcock. [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20121051,00.html "The Whole Country Cowtows as Artist Woody Jackson Makes His Big Moove Toward Udder Success"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063922/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20121051%2C00.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}, ''[[People magazine|People]]'' magazine, August 28, 1989</ref>
[[File:Ben Jerry's display freezer at Dominos.jpg|thumb|upright|Ben & Jerry's display freezer at a [[Domino's Pizza|Domino's]] store]]
In 1984, [[Häagen-Dazs]] wanted to limit distribution of Ben & Jerry's by its distributors in [[Boston]], prompting Ben & Jerry's to file suit against the parent company, [[Pillsbury Company|Pillsbury]], in its "What's the Doughboy Afraid Of?" campaign.<ref>{{cite magazine | date=July 4, 1993 | title=Cookies, Cream 'n' Controversy | magazine=[[Newsweek]] | url=http://www.newsweek.com/cookies-cream-n-controversy-194604 | access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref> In 1987, Häagen-Dazs again tried to enforce exclusive distribution, and Ben & Jerry's filed a second lawsuit against the Pillsbury Company.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

In 1985, the Ben & Jerry's Foundation was established at the end of the year with a gift from Ben & Jerry's to fund community-oriented projects; it was then provided with 7.5% of the company's annual pre-tax profits. In 1986, Ben & Jerry's launched its "Cowmobile", a modified mobile home used to distribute free scoops of Ben & Jerry's ice cream in a unique, cross-country "marketing drive", driven and served by Ben and Jerry themselves. The "Cowmobile" burned to the ground outside of [[Cleveland]] four months later, but there were no injuries. Ben said it looked like "the world's largest [[baked Alaska]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerrygreenfield.com |title=Jerry Greenfield |date=March 2005 |website=jerrygreenfield.com |access-date=December 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324115747/http://www.jerrygreenfield.com/ |archive-date= March 24, 2008 }}</ref>
In 1987, as a tribute to guitarist [[Jerry Garcia]], Ben & Jerry's presented its first ice cream named for a rock legend and the most famous of fan-suggested flavors, "Cherry Garcia".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.benjerry.com/flavors/cherry-garcia-ice-cream | title=Cherry Garcia Cherry Ice Cream with Cherries & Fudge Flakes|publisher=Ben & Jerry's|access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>

In 1985, Ben and Jerry's built and opened their factory in Waterbury, Vermont. The factory opened to public tours in 1986 and continues to offer these tours. This facility produces 350,000 or more pints of ice cream a day. It is the only Ben and Jerry's facility open to the public.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/factory-tours | title=Factory Tour|publisher=Ben & Jerry's|access-date=April 5, 2024}}</ref>

In 1988, the two men won the title of U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year, awarded by President [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19880510&id=5EojAAAAIBAJ&pg=4255,957757|title=Ben & Jerry's founders are named Small Business Persons of the Year|work=[[The Palm Beach Post]]|date=May 10, 1988|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718155747/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19880510&id=5EojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ps8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4255,957757|archive-date=July 18, 2012|access-date=October 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Also that year, the first brownies were ordered from [[Greyston Bakery]], which led to the development of the popular Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baking In The Glory |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |url=http://www.benjerry.co.uk/ourbrownies/ |access-date=July 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511160741/http://www.benjerry.co.uk/ourbrownies/ |archive-date=May 11, 2008 }}</ref> In 1992, Ben & Jerry's joined in a cooperative campaign with the national non-profit [[Children's Defense Fund]]; the campaign goal was to bring children's basic needs to the top of the national agenda. Over 70,000 postcards were sent to [[United States Congress|Congress]] concerning kids and other national issues. In 1995, they hired [[Robert Holland (executive)|Robert Holland Jr.]] as CEO after holding a "Yo! I'm your C.E.O." essay contest as part of the search.<ref>{{cite news |last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=February 2, 1995|title=Ben & Jerry's Talent Hunt Ends|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/02/business/ben-jerry-s-talent-hunt-ends.html |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=limited |access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> Holland left after 20 months following philosophical differences and was replaced by Perry Odak in 1997.<ref name="lat1997">Staff report (January 3, 1997). [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/10683254.html?dids=10683254:10683254&FMT=ABS Ben & Jerry's Appoints Former Gun Exec as CEO.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115221315/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/10683254.html?dids=10683254%3A10683254&FMT=ABS |date=January 15, 2013 }} ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''</ref>

In 1989, Ben & Jerry's announced their opposition to the use of [[recombinant bovine growth hormone]] (rBGH) in all their products. This genetically engineered hormone is sometimes given to cows to boost milk production, but Ben & Jerry's does not support this practice and is in favor of using less chemically intensive ingredients for the safety of consumers and the environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/values/issues-we-care-about/rbgh |title=Issues We Care About |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date= February 21, 2014}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=February 2022}}
 [[Image:BenJerry-UnitedSquare.jpg|thumb|Ben & Jerry's ice-cream branch at the [[United Square Shopping Mall]] in Singapore]]

In 1994, ''Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop'', written by Fred "Chico" Lager, former CEO of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, was published. The book tracks the history of how Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream got started. The book focuses on "How Two Real Guys Built a Business with a Social Conscience and a Sense of Humor."<ref>Lager, Fred "Chico". ''Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop''. 1st ed. New York: [[Crown Publishers]], 1994. Print.</ref>

===Unilever era===
====Sale of company to Unilever====
[[File:A_Ben_&_Jerry's_ice_cream_shop_in_Place_Jacques-Cartier,_Montreal,_Canada_04.jpg|thumb|A Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop in [[Place Jacques-Cartier]], [[Montreal]]]]
In April 2000, Ben & Jerry's sold itself to British multinational food giant [[Unilever]] for $326 million ($607 million in 2025 accounting for inflation).<ref>{{cite web |last=Meadows |first=Donella |url=http://www.commondreams.org/views/041300-106.htm |work=[[Common Dreams]] |title=The Globalization of Ben & Jerry's|date=April 13, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000901230848/http://commondreams.org/views/041300-106.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2000}}</ref> In the acquisition agreement, Unilever agreed to carry on the company's tradition of engaging "in these critical, global economic and social missions".<ref name=IsraelBoycott/> Following the acquisition, both founders remained employed at the company, though not in a position of operational or managerial responsibility,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/qa/documents/03073228.asp |date=August 14, 2003 |newspaper=Boston Phoenix |title=Coneheads |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504162557/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/qa/documents/03073228.asp |archive-date=May 4, 2008 }}</ref> though Cohen remained on the governing board of directors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dairynetwork.com/doc/ben-jerrys-co-founders-protest-new-ceo-0001 |title=Ben & Jerry's co-founders protest new CEO | date=21 November 2000 |last=Clark |first=Jerry |website=Dairy Network.com}}</ref>

In 2010, Jostein Solheim, a Unilever executive from Norway, was appointed CEO.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.foodprocessing.com/ceo/jostein_solheim.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928054424/http://www.foodprocessing.com/ceo/jostein_solheim.html |archive-date= September 28, 2011 |url-status = live |website=foodprocessing.com |title=Wellness Foods Division President: Jostein Solheim, Ben & Jerry's Homemade |access-date=April 1, 2010}}</ref>

In 2018, Matthew McCarthy, previously a Unilever executive, was appointed CEO, replacing Solheim.<ref name="Ben & Jerry's Introduces New CEO">{{cite press release |title=Ben & Jerry's Introduces New CEO |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ben--jerrys-introduces-new-ceo-300697577.html |publisher=Cision PR Newswire |access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref>

In 2019, Ben & Jerry's had production facilities in [[St. Albans (town), Vermont|Saint Albans]], [[Vermont]];<ref name="NV">{{cite web|url=https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/june/28/ben-jerry%27s-owner-close-nevada-ice-cream-plant|work=VermontBIZ|date=June 28, 2019|title=Ben & Jerry's owner to close Nevada ice cream plant|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727153325/https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/june/28/ben-jerry%27s-owner-close-nevada-ice-cream-plant|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Waterbury, Vermont|Waterbury]], Vermont;<ref name=NV/> [[Hellendoorn]], Netherlands;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2014/the-chunkinator|work=Ben&Jerry's|title=An Ice Cream Factory Powered by... Ice Cream!|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref> and [[Be'er Tuvia]], Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Cookies-n-cream-and-tikkun-olam-575562|title=The scoop on Ben & Jerry's in Israel|work=The Jerusalem Post |last=Hoffman |first=Carl |date=December 29, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Krueger">{{cite news |last=Krueger |first=Hanna |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/15/metro/its-been-58-days-since-ben-jerrys-posted-social-media-heres-how-their-silence-may-be-tied-middle-east |title=It's been nearly two months since Ben & Jerry's posted on social media. Here's how its silence may be tied to the Middle East |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |url-access=limited |date=July 15, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021 }}</ref> The Israeli facility was sold to its local licensee in June 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=29 June 2022 |title=Unilever reaches new business arrangement for Ben & Jerry's in Israel |url=https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-reaches-new-business-arrangement-for-ben-jerrys-in-israel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629225158/https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-reaches-new-business-arrangement-for-ben-jerrys-in-israel/ |archive-date=29 June 2022 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=Unilever |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On May 15, 2023, the company announced [[Dave Stever]] as the new CEO after the preceding CEO, Matthew McCarthy, retired from the company.<ref name="SteverCEO">{{Cite web |title=Ben & Jerry's elevates Stever to CEO |url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/23821-ben-and-jerrys-elevates-stever-to-ceo |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Food Business News |language=en}}</ref>

On March 18, 2025, the company stated in a court filing that Unilever had unlawfully removed Stever as CEO in retaliation for social and political activism.<ref name="ap-19mar2025">{{cite news |last1=Durbin |first1=Dee-Ann |title=Ben & Jerry’s alleges parent company Unilever removed its CEO over social activism |url=https://apnews.com/article/unilever-ben-jerrys-ice-cream-ceo-activism-f0dfc60035b7a3e57e11421f5494c0c7 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>

====Changes in packaging====
In 2001, Ben & Jerry's U.S. completed the transition to "Eco-Pint" packaging, which packaged all pint flavors in environmentally friendly [[Bleaching of wood pulp|unbleached]] [[paperboard]] Eco-Pint containers, a decision it later reversed. The use of [[Kraft paper|brown-kraft]] unbleached paperboard had been a critical first step toward a totally biodegradable pint made without added chlorine.

Due to what they described as increasing supply, quality, and cost challenges, Ben & Jerry's discontinued the use of the Eco-Pint in 2006, transitioning to a pint container made out of a bleached paperboard that it said was more readily available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.benjerry.com/about-us/sear-reports/2006-sear-report |title=2006 Social & Environmental Assessment Report |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>

====Opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge====
On [[Earth Day]] in 2005, when a vote in the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] proposed the [[Arctic Refuge drilling controversy|opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling]], Ben & Jerry's launched a protest by creating the largest ever [[Baked Alaska]], which weighed {{convert|900|lb}}, and placed it in front of the [[United States Capitol Building|U.S. Capitol Building]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Courson |first1=Paul |title=Oil-drilling protesters bring dessert |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/22/anwr.protests/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=CNN |date=April 22, 2005}}</ref>

====April Fool's Day joke====
In March 2009, "CyClone Dairy" launched an advertising campaign and a website to promote its milk products, which purportedly came exclusively from cloned cows.<ref name=cyclone>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclonedairy.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330053234/http://www.cyclonedairy.com/|website=cyclonedairy.com|archive-date=March 30, 2012|title=CyClone Dairy – Perfect Cows. Perfect Milk|url-status=usurped|date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> On April 1, 2009 ([[April Fool's Day]]), Ben & Jerry's announced that it was behind this fake company. Ben & Jerry's had created the tongue-in-cheek hoax to raise awareness of the increasing presence of products from cloned animals within American food<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Paynter |first=Ben |url=https://www.wired.com/medtech/health/magazine/15-11/ff_clonedmeat?currentPage=all |title=Cloned Beef (and Pork and Milk): It's What's for Dinner |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url-access=limited |access-date=April 2, 2010 |date=October 16, 2007}}</ref> and to campaign for a tracking system of cloned animal products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ga3.org/campaign/CloneTracking |title=Take Action: Tell Congress to create a tracking system for cloned animals! |website=Ga3.org |access-date=April 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416053210/http://ga3.org/campaign/CloneTracking |archive-date=April 16, 2010 }}</ref> The hoax was revealed on April Fool's Day with the message: "We believe you should have the right to choose which foods you eat — and not to eat cloned foods if you don't want to. And that's why Ben & Jerry's believes we need a national clone tracking system, so people and companies can know where their food is coming from."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/activism/inside-the-pint/more-about-milk/cow-cloning/ |title=Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream – Cow Cloning |work=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=April 2, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100426190941/http://www.benjerry.com/activism/inside-the-pint/more-about-milk/cow-cloning/| archive-date= April 26, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

====GMO-free====
In 2013, Ben & Jerry's committed to making their products [[GMO]]-free in support of mandatory GMO labeling legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/about-us#5timeline |title=Our History |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>

[[Image:Freeconeday cowgirl.jpg|thumb|Woman in cow costume promoting Free Cone Day outside a Ben & Jerry's shop in [[Stockholm]], Sweden]]

====Sales in Israel and Palestinian Territories====
On July 19, 2021, it was announced that Ben & Jerry's planned to end sales in [[Palestinian territories|Occupied Palestinian Territory]], within which Israeli settlements are considered [[International law and Israeli settlements|illegal under international law]].<ref name=Guardian>{{cite web |last=Hage |first=Mark |date=August 5, 2021 |title=We got Ben & Jerry's to stop selling in Israeli settlements. Here's how we did it|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/05/ben-jerrys-israel-settlement |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref> Due to the refusal of American Quality Products - Ben & Jerry's Israel, its local franchisee since 1987,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2015 |title=Ben & Jerry's Business in Israel |url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2015/ben-and-jerrys-business-in-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205102616/https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2015/ben-and-jerrys-business-in-israel |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Ben & Jerry's |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Avi Zinger |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-zinger-8005226/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902064217/https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-zinger-8005226/ |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=LinkedIn}}</ref> to comply with this policy, the company statement said it did not plan to renew the franchise in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2021 |title=Ben & Jerry's Will End Sales of Our Ice Cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory |url=https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/opt-statement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805045255/https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/opt-statement |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Ben & Jerry's}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elia-Shalev |first=Asaf |date=2021-07-19 |title=Breaking a 2-month silence, Ben & Jerry's ice cream announces boycott of Israeli West Bank settlements |url=https://www.jta.org/2021/07/19/israel/ben-jerrys-ice-cream-announces-boycott-of-israeli-west-bank-settlements |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |language=}}</ref> The decision may run foul of [[anti-BDS laws]] and policies in a number of US states.<ref name=jpost210721>{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/how-us-laws-against-israel-boycotts-could-hit-ben-and-jerrys-674466|title=How US laws against Israel boycotts could hit Ben & Jerry's |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |first=Ron |last=Kampeas |date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2021}}</ref> The statement, issued by Unilever, was criticized by Ben & Jerry's independent board of directors, which had not wanted to comment on the continuation of sales in other parts of Israel, as this required board approval.<ref name=IsraelBoycott>{{cite web |last=Solon |first=Olivia |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Ben & Jerry's withdraws sales from Israeli settlements but clashes with parent company Unilever |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ben-jerry-s-withdraws-sales-israeli-settlements-clashes-parent-company-n1274403 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref>

On June 29, 2022, Unilever announced that it had sold its Ben & Jerry's division in Israel to American Quality Products, the company that had the exclusive license to sell Ben & Jerry's products in Israel and the Palestinian territories.<ref name=":0" /> Later that day, Ben & Jerry's tweeted that it disagreed with its parent company's decision and that the "arrangement means Ben & Jerry's in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. Our company will no longer profit from Ben & Jerry's in Israel. We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben & Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."<ref>{{Cite tweet |author= Ben & Jerry's |user= benandjerrys |number= 1542241528470437890 |date= June 30, 2022 |title= We are aware of the Unilever announcement |script-title= |trans-title= |language= |retweet= |location= |access-date= August 22, 2022 |link= |url-status= |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629234842/https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1542241528470437890 |archive-date= June 29, 2022 |quote= "We are aware of the Unilever announcement. While our parent company has taken this decision, we do not agree with it. Unilever's arrangement means Ben & Jerry's in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. Our company will no longer profit from Ben & Jerry's in Israel. We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben & Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." |ref=}}</ref>

====Free cones====
Every year, over one million cones are given away, prompting the company's ad slogan "Be One In A Million." Charitable organizations are often present at the stores each year and enjoy a significant amount of fundraising success. Often, local celebrities show up at various stores, promoting the day and the charities there.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vegasnews.com/6178/ben-jerry%e2%80%99s-31st-annual-free-cone-day-serves-more-than-7300-scoops-raises-money-for-local-charities.html | title = Ben & Jerry's 31st Annual "Free Cone Day" Serves More Than 7,300 Scoops & Raises Money for Local Charities | date = April 22, 2009 | website = VegasNews.com | access-date = February 28, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130113140945/http://www.vegasnews.com/6178/ben-jerry%e2%80%99s-31st-annual-free-cone-day-serves-more-than-7300-scoops-raises-money-for-local-charities.html | archive-date = January 13, 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Sometimes the event is scheduled to coincide with [[Earth Day]] and sometimes volunteers are on hand with clipboards and voter registration forms to help those who would like to register to vote (in those countries where that is necessary).

Due to the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020, Free Cone Day was on hiatus<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ries |first1=Brian |last2=Guzman |first2=Francisco |title=Ben & Jerry's postpones Free Cone Day over coronavirus fears|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/business/ben--jerrys-free-cone-day-trnd/index.html |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=CNN Business |date=March 10, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> through 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/free-cone-day |title=Free Cone Day |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=2022-03-13}}</ref>

====Reduction of farm emissions====
In May 2022, the company announced the launch of its pilot project, 'Mootopia', across 15 of its supplier farms (7 in the US and 8 in the Netherlands). The goal of the project is to bring the emissions intensity of the farms to a level that is half of the US industry average by the end of 2024. The farms will be supported to adopt [[regenerative agriculture]] practices for growing grass and other feed crops.<ref>{{cite web |last1=George |first1=Sarah |title=Ben & Jerry's pilots regenerative agriculture scheme to cut dairy farm emissions |url=https://www.edie.net/ben-jerrys-pilots-regenerative-agriculture-scheme-to-cut-dairy-farm-emissions/ |website=edie |access-date=30 May 2022 |date=May 9, 2022}}</ref>

====Child labor scandal====
Months after teaming up with [[Tony's Chocolonely]] to raise awareness for ending modern slavery and child labor in the chocolate industry, Ben and Jerry's suppliers were found by ''The New York Times'' to be employing illegal migrant children in early 2023. Ben & Jerry's head of values-led sourcing, Cheryl Pinto, said that "if migrant children needed to work full time, it was preferable for them to have jobs at a well-monitored workplace".<ref>{{Cite web| title=Ben & Jerry's addresses modern slavery in the supply chain with Tony's Chocolonely partnership | url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90780513/ben-and-jerrys-modern-slavery-supply-chain-tonys-chocolate |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Fast Company |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nytmcw">{{cite news |last1=Dreier |first1=Hannah |title=Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/us/unaccompanied-migrant-child-workers-exploitation.html |work=The New York Times |date=2023-02-28}}</ref>

===="Progress Comes in Many Flavors" campaign====

In July 2024, Ben and Jerry's started an ad campaign called "Progress Comes in Many Flavors," a series of advertisements that strongly encouraged progressive action.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Let's Make Some Motherchunkin' Change! |website=Ben & Jerry's |url=https://www.benjerry.com/actnow}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwZWGaC3fOk |title=Progress Comes In Many Flavors |date=2024-07-19 |last=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=2024-10-04 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===Unilever spin-off===

On March 19, 2024, Unilever announced it would divest its ice cream brands and cut 7,500 jobs in order to make "a simpler, more focused and higher performing Unilever." Included in the spin-off are Ben & Jerry's, [[Cornetto (frozen dessert)|Cornetto]], [[Magnum (ice cream)|Magnum]], [[Talenti]], and [[Wall's (ice cream)|Wall's]]. The divestment is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karaian |first=Jason |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Unilever to Cut 7,500 Jobs and Spin Off Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Unit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/business/unilever-ben-jerrys-job-cuts.html |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=New York Times}}</ref>

==== Allegations of censorship and retaliation against Unilever ====
In 2025, Ben & Jerry's independent board accused Unilever of violating the company's independence as stipulated in the merger agreement the two companies signed in 2000. The board said that Unilever had prevented it from posting on social media in support of [[Palestinian refugees]], the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights of [[2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses|student protestors]] and a ceasefire in the [[Gaza war]]. The board also said that Unilever had blocked its donations to [[Jewish Voice for Peace]] and the [[Council on American–Islamic Relations|Council on American-Islamic Relations]]. It also alleged that Unilever had blocked more recent posts in opposition to Donald Trump's second presidential agenda, and fired CEO [[David Stever]] in retaliation for the company's political stances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=2025-03-20 |title=Ben & Jerry's alleges its CEO was fired over its political activism. Here's the scoop |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5334417/ben-jerrys-ceo-removed-unilever-lawsuit-activism |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref>

==Original flavors and sundaes==
[[File:Ben&Jerrys-Coffee-Heath-Pint-Small.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream]]

The most popular Ben & Jerry's flavor had been "Cherry Garcia" for more than a decade until 2013, when a survey taken{{by whom|date=July 2021}} of the general public found Cookie Dough was the winner with 60%.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The company website states (as of December 2020) that the most popular flavor is "Half Baked", with "Cherry Garcia" placing second, and "Chocolate Fudge Brownie" following in third.<ref name="Dec2020List">{{cite web | url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2020/12/top-flavors-2020 | title=Top 10 Ben & Jerry's Flavors of 2020 | publisher=Ben & Jerry's | date=December 23, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210501111231/https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2020/12/top-flavors-2020 | archive-date = May 1, 2021 | url-status = live|access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref> It is unclear to what degree the popularity of flavors reflects their availability. In the United Kingdom, "Cherry Garcia" ice cream has disappeared from supermarkets, and those who desire it must obtain it from a Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.benjerry.co.uk/flavours/cherry-garcia-ice-cream |title=Cherry Garcia Ice Cream |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=benjerrys.co.uk|publisher=CSC Corporate Domains, Inc 3rd party data source |access-date=July 26, 2021 |quote=Get This Flavour: Find a Scoop Shop}}</ref>

The "Vermonster" is a large ice cream [[sundae]] served in a "Vermonster Bucket" in Ben & Jerry's "[[ice cream parlor|scoop shops]]". Its ingredients are 20 scoops of ice cream, four bananas, four ladles of [[hot fudge]], three chocolate chip cookies, one chocolate fudge brownie, 10 scoops of walnuts, two scoops each of any four toppings, and whipped cream. It contains {{convert|14000|Cal|kJ}}, and {{convert|500|g|oz}} of fat. Since 2009, the Vermonster Challenge is an annual charity event held by Ben & Jerry's in which teams of four compete to finish a Vermonster and win free ice cream for a year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ncesc.com/ben-and-jerrys-application/|title=Ben and Jerry's Application Online: Jobs & Career Info | last=Young | first=Wendy | publisher=ncesc.com |date=July 8, 2021 | access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>

"Chubby Hubby" consists of vanilla malt ice cream swirled with fudge and peanut butter, and containing [[pretzel]] nuggets covered in fudge and filled with peanut butter. During the month of September 2009, Ben & Jerry's, in partnership with [[Freedom to Marry]], renamed "Chubby Hubby" to "Hubby Hubby," in celebration of the [[Same-sex marriage in Vermont|legalization of same-sex marriage]] in the company's home state of [[Vermont]]. The carton featured the image of two men in tuxedos getting married beneath a rainbow.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6125277/Ben-and-Jerrys-renames-ice-cream-Hubby-Hubby-in-celebration-of-gay-marriage.html | title=Ben and Jerry's renames ice cream Hubby Hubby in celebration of gay marriage | last=Moore | first=Matthew | date=September 2, 2009 |location=UK |work=The Daily Telegraph | access-date=September 2, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090902221947/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6125277/Ben-and-Jerrys-renames-ice-cream-Hubby-Hubby-in-celebration-of-gay-marriage.html| archive-date= September 2, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="tribune">{{cite news | url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2009/09/hubba-hubba-hubby-hubby-ice-cream-introduced.html | title=Hubba hubba! Hubby Hubby ice cream introduced | last=Daley | first=Bill | date=September 2, 2009 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | access-date=September 2, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010736/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2009/09/hubba-hubba-hubby-hubby-ice-cream-introduced.html | archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/hubbyhubby/ |title=Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream – Flavors – HubbyHubby |work=Ben & Jerry's |date=September 1, 2009 |access-date=April 2, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100319230658/http://www.benjerry.com/hubbyhubby/| archive-date= March 19, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

On March 13, 2012, Ben & Jerry's announced it would be changing the name of one of its ice cream flavors in the UK in support of equal marriage rights for [[Same-sex relationship|same-sex couples]]. "Oh! My! Apple Pie!" would become "Apple-y Ever After" and tubs would feature a gay couple atop a wedding cake decorated with rainbows.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ice cream giant supports gay marriage with new flavor |date=March 13, 2012 |publisher=dangerousminds.net | url=http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/its_adam_eve_not_ben_jerry_ice_cream_giant_supports_gay_marriage |access-date=March 13, 2012 |quote=Ice cream giant Ben and Jerry's has announced today it will be changing the name of one of its ice cream flavours in the UK in support of equal marriage rights for gays.}}</ref>
[[File:An_ice_cream_cone_at_a_Ben_&_Jerry's_shop_in_Montreal.jpg|thumb|An ice cream cone at a Ben & Jerry's parlor]]
"Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough" was temporarily renamed "I Dough, I Dough" in the United States during the summer of 2015. This was in celebration of [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]]'s [[Obergefell v. Hodges|ruling in support of same-sex marriage]]. The proceeds from sales were to go to the [[Human Rights Campaign]] (a nonprofit [[advocacy group]] for [[LGBT]] rights).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Luckerson |first=Victor |date=June 2, 2015|title=Ben & Jerry's Just Renamed This Ice Cream Flavor in Honor of Gay Marriage |url=https://time.com/3938424/ben-jerrys-ice-cream-flavor-gay-marriage/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield appeared on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' on March 5, 2007, to promote the company's new ice cream flavor, "[[Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream]]", and Cohen's progressive advocacy group [[TrueMajority]].{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The company renamed a flavor, "Yes Pecan!", in reference to [[Barack Obama]]'s victory in the [[2008 U.S. presidential election]]. They decided in January 2009 to donate all proceeds made on the sale of that flavor to the [[Common Cause]] Education Fund.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/09/yes-pecan-ben-jerrys-anno_n_156674.html |title=Yes Pecan!: Ben & Jerry's Announces Obama Ice Cream |work=[[Huffington Post]] |access-date=April 2, 2010 |first=Anya |last=Strzemien |date=January 9, 2009}}</ref>

On March 2, 2011, Cohen and Greenfield appeared on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' and unveiled the company's new flavor of ice cream, "Late Night Snack", whose carton features a picture of [[Jimmy Fallon]] on it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/late-night-snack-ice-cream |title=Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream – Late Night Snack |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330143742/http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/late-night-snack-ice-cream |archive-date=March 30, 2014 }}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=February 2022}}

On February 24, 2012, Ben & Jerry's released a new [[Strained yogurt#North America|Greek]] [[Frozen Yogurt]] line, which came in several flavors: "Strawberry Shortcake", "Blueberry Vanilla Graham", "Raspberry Fudge Chunk", "Banana Peanut Butter",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/greek-frozen-yogurt |title=Greek Frozen Yogurt |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529103045/http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/greek |archive-date=May 29, 2013 }}</ref> and "Vanilla" (scoop shop exclusive).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/our-flavors/|title=Ben & Jerry's 'Our Flavors'|work=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=June 1, 2013}}</ref> On April 12, 2013, "Pineapple Passionfruit", "Vanilla Honey Caramel", and "Liz Lemon" were added to the Greek Yogurt line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thatsnerdalicious.com/news/ben-jerrys-announces-new-flavors-for-2013/ |title=Ben & Jerry's Announces New Flavors For 2013 |last=Fallon |first=Jonathan |publisher=ThatsNerdalicious.com |date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009081718/http://www.thatsnerdalicious.com/news/ben-jerrys-announces-new-flavors-for-2013/ |archive-date=October 9, 2016 }}</ref> The Liz Lemon flavor was inspired by a character of the [[Liz Lemon|same name]] created by actress [[Tina Fey]] as the main character on the [[NBC]] television sitcom ''[[30 Rock]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Eby|first=Margaret|date=February 1, 2013|title=Ben & Jerry's premieres '30 Rock' frozen yogurt flavor called 'Liz Lemon'|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/ben-jerry-premieres-30-rock-flavor-article-1.1253256 |newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>

On February 17, 2015, Cohen and Greenfield appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' and unveiled the company's new flavor of ice cream, "The Tonight Dough", with all of its proceeds going to the [[SeriousFun Children's Network]], which supports camps for children with major illnesses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-ben-and-jerrys-the-tonight-dough-20150218-story.html |title=Ben & Jerry's launches the Tonight Dough ice cream inspired by Jimmy Fallon |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 18, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref>

In 2015, [[charoset]]-flavored ice cream became available in Israel for the [[Passover]] holiday.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/ben-jerrys-haroset-flavored-ice-cream/ |title=Ben & Jerry's Haroset Flavored Ice Cream|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/charoset-ben-and-jerrys-is-the-real-deal_n_6977854.html |title=Ben And Jerry's Sells Charoset-Flavored Ice Cream Just in Time For Passover |work=Huffington Post|date=April 2015|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-03-31/forget-cherry-garcia-how-about-ben-and-jerrys-passover-ice-cream |title=Forget Cherry Garcia. How about Ben and Jerry's Passover ice cream?|date=March 31, 2015 |publisher=[[Public Radio International]] |language=en-US|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref>

In April 2015, the company confirmed that it was working on [[vegan]] options, after hearing consumers' feedback, led by a petition and the organization [[Farm Animal Rights Movement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trueicon.co.uk/magazine/ben-and-jerrys-vegan-ice-cream-is-coming |title=Ben and Jerry's vegan ice cream is coming |work=True Icon – Ethical sustainable fashion for men and women |publisher=TrueIcon.co.uk |access-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> In early February 2016, the company announced a new all-vegan line with four flavors. Two of these are versions of existing flavors — "Chunky Monkey" and "Chocolate Fudge Brownie" — and two are all-new vegan-only flavors: "Coffee Caramel Fudge" and "Peanut Butter & Cookies".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/Ben--Jerrys-announces-4-vegan-flavors.html |title=Ben & Jerry's announces 4 vegan flavors |work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=February 3, 2016}}</ref>

In February 2017, three new non-dairy flavors were added: Caramel Almond Brittle, Cherry Garcia, and Coconut Seven Layer Bar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ben-jerrys-just-released-two-new-vegan-flavors_n_589b53cfe4b09bd304bf39bb|title=Ben and Jerry's New Vegan Flavors Are Finally HERE! [UPDATE] |date=February 8, 2017 |work=Huffington Post|access-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2018, the company added two new non-dairy flavors to its growing line of vegan options. Peanut Butter Half Baked features chocolate and peanut butter with fudge brownies and pieces of peanut butter cookie dough, while Cinnamon Buns is made with cinnamon-spiced ice cream and features cinnamon bun dough and a cinnamon streusel swirl.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=10653&catId=1 |title=Ben & Jerry's Debuts Two New Vegan Ice Cream Flavors |publisher=VegNews.com|access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref> Ben & Jerry's non-dairy line also features flavors such as Peanut Butter & Cookies, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and Caramel Coffee Fudge. Among their newest non-dairy flavors are the following: Chocolate Caramel Cluster, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Salted n' Swirled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/non-dairy|title=Two NEW Non-Dairy Flavors! |publisher=Ben & Jerry's|language=en|access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, Ben & Jerry's also released new snackable "cookie dough chunks" that have a vegan option.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.benjerry.com/flavors/vegan-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-chunks/dough |title=Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chunks |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |language=en|access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref> They continue to take new non-dairy flavor suggestions on their website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How To Suggest Your Own Ben & Jerry's Flavor |url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2014/ice-cream-flavors-idea |access-date=April 29, 2021 |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |language=en-US |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429195846/https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2014/ice-cream-flavors-idea |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In October 2018, Ben & Jerry's launched a campaign for a limited-edition ice cream flavor that also held a political message focusing on resisting the presidential administration of Donald Trump. The campaign debuted the new flavor, "Pecan Resist", and included new packaging that advertised their messages. The company donated $25,000 to four organizations that supported women's and immigrant rights, [[climate justice]], and racial justice.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/sear-reports/2018-sear-report | title=2018 Social & Environmental Assessment Report |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=February 2022}}

==Social and political issues==
===Commercial===
The [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]], a consumer-advocacy group, urged Ben & Jerry's to stop labeling their ice cream as "all natural" due to the company's use of [[corn syrup]], [[Dutch process chocolate|alkalized cocoa]], and other chemically modified ingredients.<ref name="allnat">{{cite news|last= Clark|first=Andrew|title=Ben and Jerry's admits ice-cream with a liberal conscience not 'all natural' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/sep/28/unilever-ben-jerrys-ingredients-watchdog |access-date=September 28, 2010 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=September 28, 2010 |location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101001073547/http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/sep/28/unilever-ben-jerrys-ingredients-watchdog | archive-date= October 1, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> In September 2010, the company agreed to stop labeling their ice cream and frozen yogurt as "all natural".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/09/27/130158014/ben-jerry-s-takes-all-natural-claims-off-ice-cream-labels |title=Ben & Jerry's Takes 'All Natural' Claims Off Ice Cream Labels|work=NPR|date=September 27, 2010|access-date=September 30, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100930031918/http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/09/27/130158014/ben-jerry-s-takes-all-natural-claims-off-ice-cream-labels| archive-date= September 30, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2011, Ben & Jerry's released a flavor named Schweddy Balls, in homage to the ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (''SNL'') [[Schweddy Balls|skit of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/09/07/140266537/yes-its-true-ben-jerrys-introduces-schweddy-balls-ice-cream-flavor | title=Yes, It's True: Ben & Jerry's Introduces 'Schweddy Balls' Ice Cream Flavor |date=September 7, 2011 |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref> This received protests from [[One Million Moms]], a project of the conservative Christian group [[American Family Association]], who said that the name was too explicit for grocery store shelves. Spokesperson Monica Cole explained to the media: "I realize it could be a lot worse, but are they going to progressively get worse if we don't say something? Maybe they'll think twice before they come up with another inappropriate name for ice cream." However, the expression of disdain was not unanimous among U.S. parents, as mother Gina Ragusa said to ''[[The Huffington Post]]'': "We just think it's funny, that's all, and honestly we all really want to try it", adding that she consistently checks for the item's availability at her local supermarket.<ref name="Step">{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/some-stores-freezing-out-_0_n_1023767.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Stephanie | last=Reitz | title=Supermarkets Give Ben & Jerry's 'Schweddy Balls' The Cold Shoulder | date=October 21, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215104/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/some-stores-freezing-out-_0_n_1023767.html | archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> Actor [[Alec Baldwin]], who appeared in the ''SNL'' skit as baker Pete Schweddy, hosted the September 24, 2011, episode of the 37th season of the show and responded to the protests by stating that a new flavor called "Go Fudge Yourself" had been produced for those in opposition to the tribute. Following the initial release of the flavor, Baldwin informed the media that "thanks to Ben & Jerry's, the goodness of the Schweddy family recipe won't go with me to the great beyond," as he had previously feared that his association with the ''SNL'' episode would remain permanent until his death.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alec Baldwin sets record hosting "SNL"|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/alec-baldwin-sets-record-hosting-snl/|access-date=May 11, 2014|work=CBS News|date=September 26, 2011}}</ref>

===Political===
Following rumors that suggested Ben & Jerry's supported the defense of [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]] — who was convicted in 1982 of killing Philadelphia Police officer [[Daniel Faulkner]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/danielfaulkner.html |title=The FOP's Boycott for Daniel Faulkner |website=BreakTheChain.org |access-date=April 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316192338/http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/danielfaulkner.html |archive-date=March 16, 2010 }}</ref> — the company confirmed that Cohen did sign a petition, as a private citizen, asking that "the system of American justice be followed fully in the case".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://benjerry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/benjerry.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1&p_created=915055482&p_sid=SjHqOFbj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0yMjcsMjI3JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1 |title=Support Home Page |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=April 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707075910/http://benjerry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/benjerry.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1&p_created=915055482&p_sid=SjHqOFbj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0yMjcsMjI3JnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 }}</ref>

Between 2005 and 2008, Ben & Jerry's collaborated with polar explorer Marc Cornelissen and the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] (WWF) to run the Climate Change College, an initiative to train young people in communications and campaigning around climate change.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Left|first=Sarah|date=April 28, 2005|title='If it's melted, it's ruined'|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2005/apr/28/ethicalbusiness.environment|access-date=August 18, 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wwf.panda.org/?20152/Ben-Jerrys-and-WWF-launch-climate-change-college|access-date=August 18, 2020|publisher=[[World Wide Fund For Nature]] (formerly World Wildlife Fund)|title=Ben & Jerry's and WWF launch climate change college|date=April 28, 2005}}</ref>

In 2006, Ben & Jerry's released a flavor of ice cream called "Black and Tan", which was named after the [[Black and Tan|alcoholic drink of the same name]], made by mixing [[stout]] with [[pale ale]]. After it was made available to Irish consumers, a controversy emerged in Ireland due to the name of the flavor being the nickname of [[Black and Tans|Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force]], a controversial British paramilitary force with a reputation for brutality in the [[Irish War of Independence]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Owen |last=Bowcott |date=April 19, 2006 |title=Ben & Jerry's new flavour leaves bad taste |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/apr/19/ireland |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=August 6, 2009}}</ref>

In 2012, Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel (VTJP)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vtjp.org |title=Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel |website=vtjp.org |access-date=November 23, 2014}}</ref> contacted Ben Cohen, Jerry Greenfield, and the CEO of Ben & Jerry's after learning that ice cream produced by the Ben & Jerry's franchise in Israel<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3855584,00.html |title=Ben & Jerry's to open new factory in Be'er Tuvia |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=March 2, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2014|last1=Zomer |first1=Navit }}</ref> was being sold in [[Israeli settlements]] in the [[West Bank]] and [[East Jerusalem]]. Leafleting occurred at locations in Vermont, New York, and California on 'Free Cone Day' in April 2013<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130317/NEWS02/303170018/Ben-Jerry-s-business-in-Israel-scrutinized |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141124153854/http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130317/NEWS02/303170018/Ben-Jerry-s-business-in-Israel-scrutinized |archive-date=November 24, 2014 |title=Ben & Jerry's Business in Israel Scrutinized |newspaper=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |access-date=November 23, 2014}}</ref> and April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vtjp.org/icecream/campaign_news.php#A4 |title=Campaign News |publisher=Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel |website=vtjp.org  |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129081108/http://www.vtjp.org/icecream/campaign_news.php#A4 |archive-date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref> {{As of|November 2014}}, 232 organizations across the United States and in seventeen countries worldwide have signed a letter written by VTJP calling on Ben & Jerry's to end its commercial ties to such settlements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vtjp.org/icecream/internatletter.php |title=Organizations Worldwide Sign a Letter Urging Ben & Jerry's to Honor its Social Mission |publisher=Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel |website=vtjp.org  |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129081105/http://www.vtjp.org/icecream/internatletter.php |archive-date=November 29, 2014 }}</ref>

In late April 2014, Ben & Jerry's signed on to the "Fight for the Reef" campaign, a partnership between the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)]]-Australia and the [[Australian Marine Conservation Society]] (AMCS) to help protect the [[Great Barrier Reef]]. [[Premier of Queensland|Queensland Premier]] [[Campbell Newman]] and federal senator [[Matt Canavan]] both said in statements that Ben & Jerry's was making misleading statements that exaggerated the detrimental impact that proposed government programs would have on the reef,<ref name="Vog">{{cite news|title=LNP refers ice cream company Ben and Jerry's to ACCC over Barrier Reef campaign|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/lnp-refers-ice-cream-company-ben-and-jerrys-to-accc-over-barrier-reef-campaign/story-fnihsps3-1226901781884 |access-date=May 11, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail]] |location=Brisbane, Australia |date=May 1, 2014|author=Sarah Vogler}}</ref> and Environment Minister [[Andrew Powell (politician)|Andrew Powell]] said, "The only people taking a scoop out of the reef is Ben and Jerry's and Unilever. If you understand the facts, you'd want to be boycotting Ben and Jerry's". Australian Ben & Jerry's brand manager Kalli Swaik responded, "Ben & Jerry's believes that dredging and dumping in world heritage waters surrounding the marine park area will be detrimental to the reef ecology. It threatens the health of one of Australia's most iconic treasures."<ref name="Pow">{{cite news|title=Ben and Jerry's ice cream hurting reef: Qld govt|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ben-and-jerrys-ice-cream-hurting-reef-qld-govt-20140429-37eg7.html|access-date=May 11, 2014|newspaper=[[Brisbane Times]]|date=April 29, 2014|agency=Australian Associated Press}}</ref>

In May 2017, Ben & Jerry's announced they would not serve two scoops of the same ice cream flavor in Australia, due to the refusal of the Australian government to legalize [[Same-sex marriage in Australia|same-sex marriage]]. They said this would encourage "fans to contact their [[Member of Parliament (Australia)|MP's]] to tell them the time has come — make marriage equality legal!" This stance, they said, would continue for however long it took for same-sex marriage to be legalized.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Calfas |first1=Jennifer |title=There's a Political Reason Why Ben & Jerry's Banned Same-Flavor Scoops in Australia |url=https://money.com/ben-and-jerrys-australia-same-sex-marriage/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=Money |date=May 28, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2018, Ben & Jerry's announced their support for some 9,000 Afghan asylum seekers' right to stay in Sweden, drawing heavy criticism from some commentators, including politician [[Sven-Olof Sällström]] of the [[Sweden Democrats]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.metro.se/artikel/lisa-magnusson-kliv-inte-p%C3%A5-k%C3%A4rlekst%C3%A5get |title=Lisa Magnusson: Kliv inte på Ben & Jerry's "kärlekståg" |trans-title=Do not step on Ben & Jerry's "love train" |publisher=[[Metro International]] |first=Lisa |last=Magnusson |language=sv  |date=June 5, 2018 |website=metro.se |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143541/https://www.metro.se/artikel/lisa-magnusson-kliv-inte-p%C3%A5-k%C3%A4rlekst%C3%A5get |archive-date=June 12, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/0E76pG/uppmanar-till-bojkott-efter-glassjattens-flyktingutspel |title=Uppmanar till bojkott efter glassjättens flyktingutspel |trans-title=Calls for a boycott after the ice cream giant's refugee campaign |language=sv |date=June 5, 2018 |first=Gustav |last=Tronarp |work=[[Aftonbladet]] |location=Stockholm |access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref>

On October 30, 2018, they announced their new limited batch flavor called "Pecan Resist".<ref name="trump">{{Cite web|last=Meyer|first=Zlati|title=Ben & Jerry's launches Donald Trump-inspired ice cream flavor, Pecan Resist|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/10/30/ben-and-jerrys-ice-cream-flavor-pecan-resist-trump/1811714002/|access-date=June 30, 2020|work=[[USA Today]]|language=en-US}}</ref> It was introduced as a part of the opposition campaign against U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref name=trump/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielknoebel/2018/11/05/ben-jerrys-and-the-business-of-brands-getting-political/ |title=Ben & Jerry's And The Business Of Brands Getting Political |last=Knoebel |first=Ariel|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=November 10, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

In 2020, Ben & Jerry's announced that it plans to join the "#StopHateForProfit" campaign, halting paid advertising on Facebook and [[Instagram]] in the U.S. The company said it was asking Facebook "to take the clear and unequivocal actions called for by the campaign to stop its platform from being used to spread and amplify racism and hate."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/23/ben-jerrys-joins-boycott-of-facebook-and-instagram-ads-in-the-us.html| title= Ben & Jerry's joins boycott of Facebook and Instagram ads in the US |work=[[CNBC]] | date=June 23, 2020| access-date= June 24, 2020}}</ref>

In August 2020, Ben & Jerry's supported the [[English Channel migrant crossings (2018–present)|English channel crossings of migrants]] from France, in a series of tweets directed at [[Home Secretary]] [[Priti Patel]]. The company tweeted that "we think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture", "People wouldn't make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice", and "People cannot be illegal".<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 1, 2020|title=Patel takes on Ben and Jerry's over migrant boats |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53741180 |access-date=August 12, 2020}}</ref> [[James Cleverly]] said the statements from the company were "statistically inaccurate virtue signalling".<ref>{{Cite news|last= Swinford |first=Steven |title=Ben & Jerry's accused of virtue signalling in migrant row |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ben-jerry-s-accused-of-virtue-signalling-in-migrant-row-m2bzjjhqq |url-access=subscription |access-date=August 12, 2020 |work=[[The Times]]| location=London |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> ''[[Spiked (magazine)|Spiked]]'' said the statements were hypocritical, since Ben & Jerry's had "used suppliers who have exploited migrant labour". ''Spiked'' said that the US branch of the company was the target of a campaign aimed at improving working conditions on dairy farms that supplied Ben & Jerry's.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ben & Jerry's woke hypocrisy|url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2020/08/12/ben-jerrys-woke-hypocrisy/|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=spiked-online.com|language=en}}</ref>

On January 7, 2021, Ben & Jerry's released a Tweet calling for the resignation, [[Federal impeachment in the United States|impeachment]], and invoking of the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution|25th Amendment]] against President Donald Trump following the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]], saying, "Yesterday was not a protest — it was a riot to uphold [[white supremacy]]."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://adage.com/article/media/ben-jerrys-calls-impeach-trump-brands-coca-cola-and-chevron-break-their-silence-capitol-insurrection/2304111 |title=Ben & Jerry's Calls to 'Impeach' Trump as Brands like Coca-Cola and Chevron Break Their Silence on the Capitol Insurrection |author=Liffreing, Ilyse |work=[[Ad Age]] |location=New York City |date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021}}</ref>

On February 6, 2022, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' labeled Ben & Jerry's an "activist ice cream brand" after they accused US President [[Joe Biden]] of "fanning the flames of war" in Ukraine in connection with the [[prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/02/06/ben-jerrys-accuses-joe-biden-fanning-flames-war-ukraine/ |work= [[telegraph.co.uk]] |title= Ben & Jerry's accuses Joe Biden of 'fanning flames of war' in Ukraine |first= James |last= Titcomb |date= February 6, 2022 |access-date= February 7, 2022}}</ref>

In September 2022, Ben & Jerry's rebranded its cold brew coffee flavor to "Change is Brewing", to highlight the power of Black voters and encourage voter participation by supporting [[Black Voters Matter]] activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why We're Rebranding a Flavor to Celebrate the Power of Black Voters |url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2022/09/change-is-brewing |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.benjerry.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben & Jerry's rebrands Change Is Brewing ice cream flavor to encourage Black voter turnout |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/ben-jerrys-rebrands-change-brewing-ice-cream-flavor-encourage-black-vo-rcna48791 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=NBC News |date=September 21, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2024, the chair of the Ben & Jerry's board called for a "permanent and immediate ceasefire" in the [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)|Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napolitano |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-01-16 |title=Ben & Jerry's board chair calls for "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ben-jerrys-ceasefire-gaza-israel-palestine-conflict-unilever/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2025, Ben & Jerry’s filed a complaint in federal court against parent company Unilever, accusing them of firing C.E.O. [[David Stever]] because he had allowed Ben & Jerry's to express their sociopolitical beliefs publicly. The complaint also claims that Unilever attempted to dismantle Ben & Jerry's independent board and prevent the company from advocating for certain political stances such as calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, supporting American college students protesting civilian deaths in Gaza on college campuses and urging an end to U.S. military aid to Israel.<ref>{{Citenews|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/business/ben-and-jerrys-unilever-lawsuit-ceo.html|title=Ben & Jerry’s Accuses Unilever of Firing Its C.E.O. for Political Reasons|last=Moses|first=Claire|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 19, 2025|accessdate=March 24, 2025}}</ref>

===Sales in West Bank===
On July 19, 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced that it plans to end sales in [[Palestinian territories|Occupied Palestinian Territory]], within which [[Israeli settlements]] are considered [[International law and Israeli settlements|illegal under international law]].<ref name=Guardian/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=Ben & Jerry's Will End Sales of Our Ice Cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory |url=https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/palestine-statement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801021702/https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/palestine-statement |archive-date=1 August 2021 |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Ben & Jerry's}}</ref> Due to the refusal of Ben & Jerry's Israel — the local franchisee since 1987 — to comply with this policy, the company statement said it did not plan to renew the franchise in 2022. The company had previously suffered criticism and boycotts for operating in the region, most notably from Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel. The company statement referenced this, noting that it was responding to "the concerns shared with us by our fans and trusted partners", while confirming that sales operations would continue in Israel beyond 2022 "through a different arrangement".

The policy decision was met with mixed reactions.<ref name=Hill>{{Cite web|date=July 19, 2021|title=Ben & Jerry's Will End All Sales In Occupied Palestinian Territory|url=https://hillreporter.com/ben-jerrys-will-end-all-sales-in-occupied-palestinian-territory-107286|access-date=July 20, 2021|website=HillReporter.com|language=en-US|archive-date=July 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719185935/https://hillreporter.com/ben-jerrys-will-end-all-sales-in-occupied-palestinian-territory-107286|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'' described the decision as "one of the strongest and highest-profile rebukes by a well-known company of Israel's policy of settling its citizens on war-won lands".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ruehsen |first1=Ella |title=Ben & Jerry's plans to end ice cream sales in Occupied Palestinian Territory after backlash |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2021/07/19/ben-jerrys-ice-cream-end-sales-israeli-occupied-palestinian/8017810002/ |access-date=July 20, 2021 |work=Associated Press |agency=USA Today |date=July 19, 2021}}</ref> The news drew some harsh criticism from Israeli public figures, with foreign minister [[Yair Lapid]] tweeting: "Ben & Jerry's decision is a disgraceful capitulation to anti-Semitism, to [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement|BDS]], to all that is evil in the anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish discourse."<ref name=Hill /> Pro-Palestinian and anti-[[Israel and apartheid|apartheid]] groups welcomed the move.

It has also been suggested that the decision — while not technically a boycott, given the lack of legal recognition of the Palestinian Territories as a formal part of Israel under Israeli law — may run foul of anti-boycott laws in a number of US states.<ref name=jpost210721/> On August 3, 2021, governor of Florida [[Ron DeSantis]] announced that he had placed parent company Unilever on a list of "Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel" as a result of Ben & Jerry's decision to "engage in the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS]] movement".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jordan |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Florida takes action against Ben & Jerry's parent company amid fight over Israel |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/566069-florida-takes-action-against-ben-jerrys-parent-company-amid-boycott |access-date=August 3, 2021 |website=The Hill |language=en}}</ref> On September 9, the [[State of Arizona]] committed to totally divest from Unilever by September 21.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazaroff |first1=Tovah |title=Arizona divests from Ben & Jerry's over its 'antisemitic' Israel boycott |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/arizona-divests-from-ben-and-jerrys-over-its-antisemitic-israel-boycott-678967 |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=September 9, 2021}}</ref> On September 14, the [[State of New Jersey]] also gave Unilever 90 days' notice of divestment action.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Magid |first1=Jacob |title=New Jersey moves to divest from Ben & Jerry's, Unilever over settlement ban |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-jersey-moves-to-divest-from-ben-jerrys-parent-firm-over-settlement-bds/ |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=Times of Israel |date=September 15, 2021}}</ref>

In June 2022, Unilever agreed to sell its business interests in Israel to the Israeli branch of Ben & Jerry's under an agreement in which the latter will be able to sell in both Israel and the West Bank, provided it uses only Hebrew and Arabic labels in the products.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ben & Jerry's Israel, parent company Unilever reach deal to end settlement boycott |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-jerrys-israel-parent-company-unilever-reach-deal-to-end-settlement-boycott/ |access-date=June 29, 2022 |agency=The Times of Israel |date=June 29, 2022|author-last1=Tress|author-first1=Luke}}</ref> On July 5, 2022, Ben & Jerry's sued its parent company to block the sale on the grounds that it threatened to undermine the integrity of the brand and that it was inconsistent with its values to sell its ice cream in the occupied West Bank. When Unilever acquired the company in 2000, Ben & Jerry's board kept protection over its brand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/ben-jerrys-sues-parent-unilever-block-sale-israeli-business-2022-07-05/|title=Ben & Jerry's sues parent Unilever to block sale of Israeli business|first1=Jonathan|last1=Stempel|first2=Jessica|last2=DiNapoli|date=July 6, 2022|newspaper=Reuters }}</ref> On July 15, minutes before that first scheduled hearing in the lawsuit, both Ben & Jerry's and parent company Unilever announced they would pursue dispute resolution via [[mediation]] instead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Latest scoop in ice cream drama: Ben & Jerry's proposes mediation with Unilever |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/07/15/latest-scoop-on-ice-cream-drama-ben-jerrys-proposes-mediation-with-unilever/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=www.israelhayom.com}}</ref>

In November 2024, Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever, claiming that its parent company had cracked down on its attempts to support Palestinian refugees and threatened to replace and sue its board members over the issue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=DiNapoli |first=Jessica |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Exclusive: Ben & Jerry's says parent Unilever silenced it over Gaza stance |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/ben-jerrys-says-parent-unilever-silenced-it-over-gaza-stance-2024-11-14/ |access-date=November 14, 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

===Social===
{{anchor|Taste the Lin-Sanity}}In February 2012, a Ben & Jerry's franchise near [[Harvard University]] created a [[special edition|limited edition]] frozen yogurt flavor named "Taste the Lin-Sanity" in honor of Asian-American [[basketball]] player [[Jeremy Lin]], a Harvard alumnus. At inception, the product contained vanilla frozen yogurt, [[lychee]] honey swirls, and [[fortune cookie]] pieces, leading to a widely publicized controversy about [[Ethnic stereotype|racial stereotyping]] due to the association of the fortune cookie ingredient with Chinese culture. That ingredient was later replaced with [[waffle]] cookies,<ref>{{Cite web|first=Maggie |last=Schneider|title=Ben & Jerry's drops fortune cookies from 'Lin-Sanity'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/02/25/sport/jeremy-lin-ice-cream/index.html|access-date=June 30, 2020|work=CNN|date=February 26, 2012}}</ref> as the fortune cookies became soggy and the franchise received returns from customers. Ben & Jerry's general manager for [[Boston]] and [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] explained to the media: "we obviously weren't looking to offend anybody and the majority of the feedback about it has been positive."<ref>{{cite news |last=Rocheleau |first=Matt |title=Ben & Jerry's launches 'Lin-Sanity' flavor, takes out fortune cookie ingredient |date=February 24, 2012 |newspaper=Boston Globe |url=https://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/cambridge/2012/02/ben_jerrys_launches_limited-re.html |access-date=February 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194850/http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/cambridge/2012/02/ben_jerrys_launches_limited-re.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |quote="There seemed to be a bit of an initial backlash about it, but we obviously weren't looking to offend anybody and the majority of the feedback about it has been positive," he said.}}</ref> Ben & Jerry's released an official statement shortly after the launch of the product, apologizing to those who were offended.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ben & Jerry's sorry for fortune cookies |date=February 26, 2012 |work=ESPN | url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7617213/ben-jerry-apologizes-lin-sanity-flavor |access-date=February 26, 2012 |quote="We offer a heartfelt apology if anyone was offended by our handmade Lin-Sanity flavor," Ben & Jerry's said in a statement.}}</ref>

In September 2014, anti-hazing activists raised concerns about the ice cream flavor "Hazed & Confused", which had been released earlier that year. The concern was that the name could be perceived as belittling of [[hazing]] and [[bullying]] problems. The company has noted that the name was based on the word ''[[hazelnut]]'' and a play on the phrase "dazed and confused", which is both a [[Dazed and Confused (Jake Holmes song)|song]] popularized by [[Led Zeppelin]] and a [[Dazed and Confused (film)|1993 film]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-09-18/ben-jerry-s-mulls-renaming-hazed-confused-after-complaints |title=Ben & Jerry's Mulls Renaming 'Hazed and Confused' After Complaints|last=Stanford|first=Duane D.|date=September 1, 2014 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> The decision was made in October to not rename the flavor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/18/ben-jerrys-hazed-confused_n_6008592.html|title=Ben & Jerry's Won't Rename 'Hazed & Confused'|last=Kaufman|first=Alexander C.|date=October 1, 2014|work=Huffington Post|access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>

Attempts by [[migrant worker|migrant laborers]] to directly contact Ben & Jerry's company officials in Waterbury, Vermont, during 2018, resulted in arrests by [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement|Immigration and Customs Enforcement]].{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

During the [[George Floyd protests|2020 protests against racial prejudice]] following the police [[murder of George Floyd]], Ben & Jerry's publicized a statement encouraging Americans to "dismantle white supremacy" and face "the sins of our past".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ziady |first=Hanna |title=Why Ben & Jerry's statement on white supremacy is so extraordinary|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/business/ben--jerrys-george-floyd/index.html |access-date=June 7, 2020 |work=CNN|date=June 3, 2020 }}</ref> Later that month, they endorsed the "Defund the Police" movement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2020/06/defund-the-police|title=Defund the Police and Invest in Our Communities|website=Ben & Jerry's}}</ref>

In 2023, Ben & Jerry's received criticism for posting a tweet on [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]], claiming that the United States was founded on "stolen Indigenous land" and that [[Mount Rushmore]] should be returned to the [[Lakota people]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ben-and-jerrys-july-4-tweet-goes-off-like-a-busted-firework|last=Howard|first=Brooke Leigh|date=July 5, 2023|title=Ben & Jerry's July 4 Tweet Goes Off Like a Busted Firework|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Carbonaro|first=Giulia|date=July 6, 2023|url=https://www.newsweek.com/ben-jerry-owner-stock-falls-boycott-calls-1811198|title=Ben & Jerry's Owner's Stock Falls After Boycott Calls|work=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref> In reply, the [[Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation]] expressed interest in acquiring the Ben & Jerry's headquarters in Vermont, which is located on historical Abenaki territory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Aleks |date=2023-07-07 |title=Indigenous chief wants to take back Ben & Jerry's HQ built on "stolen" land |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ben-jerrys-headquarters-vermont-indigenous-chief-stolen-land-1811532 |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref>

====Wages====
For several years, Ben & Jerry's had a policy that no employee's rate of pay shall exceed five times that of entry-level employees.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.ex.payequity15may15,0,7160910.story?page%3D2|title=Debate swirls around CEO pay|last=Torres|first=Blanca|date=May 1, 2005|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073838/http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.ex.payequity15may15%2C0%2C7160910.story?page=2|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=July 11, 2013}}</ref> In 1995, entry-level employees were paid $12 hourly ({{Inflation|US|12|1995|fmt=eq}}), and the highest-paid employee was president and chief operating officer Chuck Lacy, who earned $150,000 annually ({{Inflation|US|150000|1995|fmt=eq}}). When Ben Cohen resigned as chief executive officer and Ben & Jerry's announced the search for a new CEO in 1994, the company ended the five-to-one-ratio policy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pure Profit – For Small Companies That Stress Social Values as Much as the Bottom Line, Growing Up Hasn't Been an Easy Task. Just Ask Ben & Jerry's, Patagonia and Starbucks |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=limited |date=February 5, 1995 |first=Peter |last=Carlin |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-05-tm-28412-story.html }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of ice cream parlor chains]]
* [[Baskin-Robbins]]
* [[Häagen-Dazs]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Criswell, Ann. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20130116060859/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1992_1063355 Ben & Jerry's is sweet on social issues]". ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday June 24, 1992. Food 1.
* Edmondson, Brad. ''Ice Cream Social: The Struggle for the Soul of Ben & Jerry’s''. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2014.
* Lager, Fred "Chico". ''Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop''. 1st ed. New York: Crown Publishers, 1994. Print.
* Wieder, Tamara. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080504162557/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/qa/documents/03073228.asp Coneheads]". ''[[The Boston Phoenix]]''. August 8–14, 2003. ''Boston Phoenix'' interview with founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ben & Jerry's}}
* {{Official website}}

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