What is Ben Cohen's main criticism of Ben & Jerry's current product quality and corporate direction?

Ben Cohen criticizes the current Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as 'kinda fluffy'—an insult implying excessive air was added to cut costs—and says the brand’s trademark activism has been silenced by its parent company, which he claims has eroded the independent board’s authority over the brand’s voice, values, and quality.

What legal and activist actions has Ben Cohen taken to regain control of Ben & Jerry's since Unilever spun off its ice-cream brands into Magnum Ice Cream Company in September 2025?

In November 2024, Ben & Jerry’s independent board sued Unilever for blocking support for Gaza and breaching their agreement; after Unilever spun off ice-cream brands into Magnum Ice Cream Company in September 2025, Cohen launched the 'Free Ben & Jerry’s' campaign demanding Magnum sell the brand, and escalated to calling for a boycott of Magnum’s other brands—including Yasso, Breyers, Talenti, and Klondike—to pressure divestment.

'It Ain't the Same': Inside the Bitter Battle to Free Ben & Jerry's

Jul 31, 2026

Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen is leading a campaign to buy back the brand from parent company Magnum, alleging loss of independence and suppression of social activism. While Magnum denies selling plans and cites strong sales growth, Cohen calls for a boycott to force the divestment of the iconic ice cream label.

theguardian

2026-07-31

'It Ain't the Same': Inside the Bitter Battle to Free Ben & Jerry's

'It Ain't the Same': Inside the Bitter Battle to Free Ben & Jerry's

FAQ