A class action lawsuit alleges that Ben & Jerryโs ice cream is made from dairy not sourced from โhappy cowsโ as advertised, but with milk from factory farms.
The Ben & Jerryโs class action lawsuit was filed by James Ehlers who says he purchased a range of Ben & Jerryโs products believing them to be sourced from โhappy cows.โ Allegedly, he discovered later that the dairy in the products was not sourced as advertised.
The Ben & Jerryโs lawsuit says that before its acquisition by Unilever, Ben & Jerryโs was an independent company based in Vermont. Allegedly, its popularity grew because customers were attracted to the brandโs connection to Vermont dairies and the local economy.
The Ben & Jerryโs happy cows class action lawsuit goes on to state that in 2000, an operation of Unilever acquired Ben & Jerryโs. According to the Ben & Jerryโs class action lawsuit, this acquisition ensured the company was no longer the independent business that customers had grown to love. Furthermore, this acquisition allegedly changed the management and process of manufacturing Ben & Jerryโs ice cream.
The Ben & Jerryโs dairy sourcing class action lawsuit notes that now, neither Ben Cohen or Jerry Greenfield have any role in the companyโs day-to-day management, though their images are still prominently presented on Ben & Jerryโs packaging.ย
Additionally, the operations are allegedly no longer in line with the values of social and environmental consciousness, says the Ben & Jerryโs class action lawsuit. The milk and cream for the ice cream are reportedly no longer sourced exclusively from Vermont dairies that are part of a โCaring Dairyโ program ensuring the welfare and health of the animals.
Instead, most of the dairy allegedly comes from large factory farms that do not participate in the Caring Dairy program. Only a small portion of the milk used in Ben & Jerryโs ice cream is reportedly produced in the small, socially and environmentally conscious farms.
The Ben & Jerryโs class action lawsuit goes on to say that nonetheless, Unilever advertises that Ben & Jerryโs uses milk from โhappy cows.โ
According to Ehlers, Unilever intentionally misleads customers into thinking that Ben & Jerryโs products are sourced differently than they really are because Unilever is aware that Ben & Jerryโs original values of social and environmental responsibility were key to its rise in popularity.
Allegedly, Unilever falsely advertises Ben & Jerryโs to appeal to the values of its customers. Ehlers says that many customers would not have purchased the ice cream had they known that the milk was not from โhappy cows.โ Additionally, Ehlers claims that customers were financially injured by Unileverโs false advertising because customers pay a premium for Ben & Jerryโs, which costs significantly more than other ice cream brands.
Have you purchased Ben & Jerryโs ice cream? Do you care where the dairy is sourced? Let us know!ย
Ehlers is represented by Joshua L. Simonds of The Burlington Law Practice PLLC and by Kim E. Richman of Richman Law Group.
The Ben & Jerryโs Ice Cream Class Action Lawsuit is James Ehlers v. Ben & Jerryโs Homemade Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-00194-cr, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont.ย
UPDATE: On Jan. 13, 2020, the parent company of Ben & Jerryโs ice cream, wanted a class action lawsuit dismissed that alleges the milk used in their products is from factory farms and not โhappy cows.โ
Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:
Breyers Class Action Says Ice Cream Doesnโt Contain Vanilla
Do I Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Memphis?
Dove Class Action Says Ice Cream Bars Donโt Contain Real Vanilla
$700,000 Settlement Resolves Claims of Wage and Hour Violations Against Life Time Inc.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
ยฉ2008 โ 2024 Top Class Actionsยฎ LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
547 thoughts onBen & Jerryโs Class Action Says Ice Cream Isnโt Made From โHappy Cowsโ
Please add me.
Please add me as well.
A little misleading title.
i always get ben and jerey ice cream by the pint and also belived that they where still using the vermont dairy farmers products so please add me to this class action
Add me also
Me
include me
I always buy Ben & Jerryโs Phish Food. DEFINITELY include me.
Include me, please.
Yes please add me. I assumed โhappy cowsโ were free range, free to go as they please in the pasture, not some cramped up crowed factory farm.