Fri, 19 Dec 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 Removed Ben & Jerry's chair says Magnum aimed to 'smear' her

Anuradha Mittal was ejected from the board of the ice cream maker this week.

* Anuradha Mittal, former chair of Ben & Jerry's independent board, accuses Magnum of threatening her with a public smear campaign if she didn't step down.
* Mittal claims Magnum threatened to publish "defamatory statements" about her after she refused to resign from her role.
* The dispute is related to an ongoing row between Ben & Jerry's and its owner, Magnum, over the independence of the board and its freedom to pursue social missions.
* Magnum has introduced a nine-year limit for people serving on the board, resulting in Mittal's removal along with two other board members.
* An audit of the Ben & Jerry's Foundation found "material deficiencies" in financial controls, governance, and compliance policies.
* Mittal accuses Magnum of trying to muzzle Ben & Jerry's from speaking out on human rights and social justice issues.
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