Is Ben and Jerry's Vegan?
It Depends
Not certifiedBen and Jerry's sells two entirely separate product lines: a large traditional dairy line (cream, skim milk, egg yolks) that is not vegan, and a dedicated Non-Dairy line of around 20 certified-vegan pints made with oat milk, almond milk, or sunflower butter bases that are fully vegan and carry Certified Vegan labeling.
The catch: The brand name covers both a dairy and a non-dairy line. The regular pints are not vegan. The Non-Dairy pints are certified vegan, but you have to deliberately choose them and the transition to oat milk base was still rolling out through 2025, so some stores may carry older almond or sunflower butter base versions alongside the new formula.
Category
Dairy
Verdict
It Depends
Brand
Ben and Jerry's (Unilever)
Ben and Jerry's launched its Non-Dairy line in 2016 following pressure from PETA, starting with four almond milk flavors. The line expanded steadily and in late 2023 the company began transitioning all Non-Dairy pints to an oat milk base, a process that was still completing through 2025.
B. and Cookies, Peanut Butter Half Baked, Netflix and Chilll'd, Strawberry Cheezecake, and Chocolate Caramel Brownie, among others.
A small number of older flavors may still be found with sunflower butter or almond milk bases depending on retailer stock. All Non-Dairy flavors carry Certified Vegan certification (through Vegan Action), meaning the formulas contain no dairy, eggs, or honey.
Scoop shops also carry exclusive Non-Dairy flavors like Strawberry Marshmallow. The regular dairy pints, which make up the majority of Ben and Jerry's shelf space and offerings, contain cream, skim milk, and egg yolks and are not vegan.
At scoop shops, add-ons and toppings should be checked individually as some may contain dairy or eggs. Ben and Jerry's received a PETA Proggy Award for the Non-Dairy line.
The manufacturing facilities produce both dairy and non-dairy products, so strict allergy sufferers should contact the company, though for ethical vegans the Certified Vegan label on each Non-Dairy pint is the authoritative signal.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕cream
- ✕skim milk
- ✕egg yolks
Vegan alternatives
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Other dairy
Frequently asked
Is Ben and Jerry's Vegan?
Ben and Jerry's sells two entirely separate product lines: a large traditional dairy line (cream, skim milk, egg yolks) that is not vegan, and a dedicated Non-Dairy line of around 20 certified-vegan pints made with oat milk, almond milk, or sunflower butter bases that are fully vegan and carry Certified Vegan labeling.
What is the catch with Ben and Jerry's?
The brand name covers both a dairy and a non-dairy line. The regular pints are not vegan. The Non-Dairy pints are certified vegan, but you have to deliberately choose them and the transition to oat milk base was still rolling out through 2025, so some stores may carry older almond or sunflower butter base versions alongside the new formula.
What can I use instead of Ben and Jerry's?
Vegan options include So Delicious Dairy Free, NadaMoo, Oatly Ice Cream, Van Leeuwen Vegan Ice Cream.
Is Ben and Jerry's certified vegan?
Ben and Jerry's does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
Last verified June 20, 2026. See how we verify. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
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