Is Ben & Jerry's vegan? Who owns Ben & Jerry's?
Super premium ice cream brand offering both dairy and non-dairy frozen dessert products in multiple flavors
The short answer
Ben & Jerry's is owned by The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.. Only some products are vegan. Cruelty-free with caveats.
Is Ben & Jerry's vegan?
Some vegan linesOnly some products are vegan
Company's own statementSource: Vegan ActionIs Ben & Jerry's cruelty-free?
Partial / conditionalCruelty-free with caveats
CertifiedSource: Ben & Jerry'sDoes Ben & Jerry's or its owner sell animal products?
UnverifiedNot yet verified by us
Who owns Ben & Jerry's?
The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.Owned by The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.
Official registrySource: Vegan Action
Last verified 12 September 2026
Ownership chain
- Brand
Ben & Jerry's
- Parent company
The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.
Animal-testing position not yet verified.
Last verified 12 September 2026
Certifications
Leaping Bunny (Cruelty Free International)
activeChecked 12 September 2026 · Registry entry
Leaping Bunny (Cruelty Free International): Ben & Jerry's is recorded as not listed.
The Vegan Society Trademark
activeChecked 12 September 2026 · Registry entry
The Vegan Society Trademark: Ben & Jerry's is recorded as not listed.
Vegan Action (Certified Vegan Logo)
activeChecked 12 September 2026 · Registry entry
Vegan Action (Certified Vegan Logo): Ben & Jerry's is recorded as certified.
What this means
Our record lists Ben & Jerry's as a brand of The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V., which sits under Unilever PLC. Ownership is a separate question from how a product is made: a brand can hold its own certifications while its parent company operates under different policies.
Ben & Jerry's appears on 3 schemes we check: Leaping Bunny (Cruelty Free International), The Vegan Society Trademark, Vegan Action (Certified Vegan Logo). Each scheme sets its own criteria, so read the certifier's own entry, linked above, for what it covers.
We have not yet verified an animal-testing position for The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V., so we make no claim either way. We publish sourced facts and dates so you can judge them yourself; see how we verify.
Independent vegan alternatives
- Beyond MeatVeganCruelty-free
- Booja-BoojaVeganCruelty-free
- Meridian FoodsVeganCruelty-free
- Pukka HerbsVeganCruelty-free
- RibenaVeganCruelty-free
- SheeseVeganCruelty-free
Frequently asked questions
- Is Ben & Jerry's vegan?
- Only some products are vegan. Recorded status: some vegan lines, last verified 12 September 2026.
- Who owns Ben & Jerry's?
- Ben & Jerry's is recorded as owned by The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V., which is itself owned by Unilever PLC.
- Is Ben & Jerry's cruelty-free?
- Cruelty-free with caveats. Recorded status: partial / conditional, last verified 12 September 2026.
- Does The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. test on animals?
- We have not yet verified an animal-testing position for The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V.. Until we can source one, we leave it unverified rather than guess.