Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has expressed interest in repurchasing the ice cream company from Unilever, alleging that the multinational corporation violated the terms of the 2000 acquisition agreement. The original sale, valued at $326 million, included a condition that Unilever would respect the brand's independent board and social mission.
According to reports, the dispute centers on Unilever's decision to halt sales of Ben & Jerry's in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2021, a move that the company later reversed after facing legal and political pressure. Cohen argues that Unilever's actions undermined the brand's commitment to social justice, a core principle of the acquisition deal.
Unilever has stated that it remains committed to Ben & Jerry's social mission but has not commented on Cohen's buyback proposal. The situation remains unresolved as of May 2026, with no official offer or legal action confirmed.
