Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand, has resigned from his role as the company’s brand ambassador after a public rift with parent entity Unilever.

“Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important—and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power. It’s easy to stand up and speak out when there’s nothing at risk,” Greenfield wrote. “The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose.”

Under Unilever’s ownership, Ben & Jerry’s has spoken on numerous social issues such as human rights, peace, and justice, he wrote.

“That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever—one that enshrined our social mission and values in the company’s governance structure in perpetuity,” Greenfield added.

Greenfield said it was “profoundly disappointing” to realize that this independence, which was the basis of the sale to Unilever, has now gone.

Greenfield’s departure comes at a time when The Magnum Ice Cream Company, under which Ben & Jerry’s operates as a wholly owned subsidiary, is pushing for a full demerger from Unilever.

Magnum, the largest ice cream company in the world, is a Unilever brand that currently operates as a standalone company. Magnum is expected to complete its full separation from Unilever in mid-November.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company said they were “forever grateful” to Greenfield for co-founding Ben & Jerry’s and wished him well for his future endeavors.

“We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s powerful values-based position in the world,” the spokesperson said.

“We remain committed to Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission—product, economic and social—and remain focused on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream of this iconic, much-loved brand. Ben & Jerry’s is a proud and thriving part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company and we look forward to further building on its success.”

The Epoch Times reached out to Ben & Jerry’s for comment, but did not receive a response by publication time.

In 2022, Unilever settled the matter by selling Ben & Jerry’s Israeli business rights to a local company.

“Social justice and human rights are core to Ben & Jerry’s DNA,” the company said in the complaint. “For over four decades, the company has pursued its unique Social Mission via its public, progressive stances on issues such as migrant justice, LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter, GMO labeling, and a variety of other economic and social causes affecting historically marginalized communities.”

The lawsuit alleged that Unilever blocked Ben & Jerry’s attempts to issue public statements supporting peace and human rights related to the “ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

Ben & Jerry’s activism has also triggered backlash from authorities.

Treasurer Dale R. Folwell ordered the department and the North Carolina Retirement Systems to divest $40 million in Unilever assets.

“We have policies in place per state law that dictate how we should proceed on any holdings in the retirement system of companies that boycott Israel and their affiliates. We will follow our policies and the law,” Folwell said at the time.

“This is particularly important in this case as we have witnessed the atrocities perpetrated against the Israeli people. There is no place for antisemitism in this state or this country.”

“The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested,” Cohen said in a company statement at the time.