Ben & Jerry’s Calls Out Parent Company Unilever: Here’s What to Boycott

Ben & Jerry’s has publicly expressed their discontent following the dismissal of CEO David Stever, claiming the decision was made without adhering to the proper merger protocols established by their parent company, Unilever. In light of this situation, there has been a strong call among consumers to boycott Unilever products as a form of protest.

The relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever has been tumultuous since the acquisition of the ice cream brand back in 2000. Tensions escalated when Ben & Jerry’s took a stand against selling their ice cream in Israeli settlements, which led Unilever to sell off one of their businesses in the region. This business has publicly stated that it will continue selling Ben & Jerry’s products under Hebrew and Arabic branding, despite the protests from Ben & Jerry’s.

In response to these ongoing disputes, Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit against Unilever, alleging that the parent company attempted to suppress their advocacy for Palestine. Additionally, Ben & Jerry’s expressed frustration over Unilever’s restrictions on their social media accounts, preventing them from voicing their opposition to former President Donald Trump.

Following the abrupt termination of David Stever, Unilever released a statement saying, “Regrettably, despite repeated attempts to engage the board and follow the correct process, we are disappointed that the confidentiality of an employee career conversation has been made public.” This remark has only fueled further discontent among supporters of Ben & Jerry’s.

As the backlash against Unilever intensifies, many supporters of Ben & Jerry’s are considering a boycott of Unilever products. If you are one of those planning to take action, here’s a list of certain brands you might want to avoid.

Brands Owned by Unilever

For those who grew up using products like Axe, it’s important to note that this brand is part of Unilever’s extensive portfolio. The company oversees several affordable personal care brands, including Dove, TRESemmé, and Sunsilk, alongside Vaseline, prompting some to reconsider their options.

When it comes to personal hygiene, brands like Degree deodorant and Rexona are also owned by Unilever. Furthermore, you may be surprised to learn that the company’s holdings include the Closeup toothpaste line, Dermalogica skincare products, Lux fragrances, Lifebuoy soap, the Nutrafol hair growth supplement, and Paula’s Choice skincare, among others.

Unilever’s array of brands extends even further to include Radiant, Domestos, Sunlight, and many more. Therefore, if your goal is to avoid Unilever products, it may be wise to check which brands you are purchasing.

Alternative Ice Cream Options

Ben & Jerry’s isn’t alone in the ice cream market—Unilever also owns Wall’s, a brand offering a variety of ice cream treats. If you decide to forgo Ben & Jerry’s, remember that options like Wall’s may not align with your boycott either.

If you want to thoroughly navigate Unilever’s brand list while planning your purchases, you can find more information here.

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