Fired Ben & Jerry's Chair Accuses Parent Company of "Smear" Campaign

Anuradha Mittal, the former chair of Ben & Jerry's board, was removed from her position this week. She claims the move is part of a deliberate effort to damage her reputation. Mittal was dismissed by Unilever, the global consumer goods giant that owns Ben & Jerry's. Unilever stated the removal was due to a "breach of contract." However, Mittal strongly disputes this. She alleges the real reason is her continued activism. She says Unilever wants to "smear" her because she pressured the company to uphold Ben & Jerry's social justice values. This conflict highlights the ongoing tension between Ben & Jerry's famous activist brand and its corporate owner. Unilever has faced criticism from some supporters of the ice cream maker for decisions seen as conflicting with its ethical mission. Mittal had served on the board for nearly a decade. The board is designed to protect the brand's social commitment. Unilever has stated it remains dedicated to Ben & Jerry's values.