"Ben & Jerry's: Frauds?" [Updated]

A friend of mine was interested in some information over at the Humane Society. Not being very internet/blog savvy, he wanted me to help him publish an article about his concern with Ben and Jerry's policy with respect to their treatment of animals. Personally, I've always liked their ice cream, but I think it would be preferable if the chickens which supply the eggs they use were treated better. Anyway, here's what he had to say:

Ben & Jerry's is a favorite company amongst many progressives for its public opposition towards the cruel and environmentally destructive effects of factory farming. On its web site, the company criticizes what it calls "giant, industrial farming operations," and it ends one of its commercials with the tag line, "Ben & Jerry's: Join our fight for small family farms." Unfortunately, in at least one important area, it looks like the company's "green" values are just a hoax.

::More on the flip::

As it turns out, the Humane Society of the United States conducted an investigation of a factory farming giant that supplies eggs to Ben & Jerry's (yes, there are eggs in every one of its ice cream flavors). Through a hidden camera, the Humane Society documented abuses that would make even the strongest stomachs turn. If you're up to it, you can take a look at the video here: Link  

So, despite Ben & Jerry's claim to oppose factory farming, its eggs come from some of the worst factory farming corporations in the country. These animal factories confine hens in barren cages that are too small for them even to spread their wings. In fact, each hen is allotted less space than a single sheet of paper.  

To further this hypocrisy, Ben & Jerry's refuses to use eggs from caged birds in any of its European ice cream, stating in an annual report that "battery cage housing systems don't meet our best case scenario for animal welfare."

It should disturb us all when a company makes a profit by preying on progressive consumers through deceiving marketing tactics. Ben & Jerry's has built a loyal customer base by convincing the public that it has values that the company doesn't even follow in its own purchasing decisions. As President Bush famously attempted to say, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice"...well, you know the rest. Shame you on Ben & Jerry's.  

For more information on the truth behind Ben & Jerry's, check out: Link

Update [2006-8-22 19:53:41 by deano]: I don't believe the intent of the author was aimed at Ben & Jerry the people, but the company that now bears their name. Here's an article posted in the thread about the nature of Ben & Jerry as social activists:Link

Update [2006-8-23 19:25:57 by deano]:: Well, aparently Ben & Jerry's did the right thing and dropped the egg supplier:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. said Wednesday it will drop an egg supplier accused of mistreating chickens, responding to pressure from the Humane Society of the United States. The ice cream maker's CEO, Walt Freese, said in a telephone interview that dropping Michael Foods Inc., of Minnetonka, Minn., "seemed like the right thing to do." He said the change would be effective next week.

Good for them!