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Hershey has successfully defended itself in a lawsuit claiming that its Reese's Halloween candies were not as spooky as advertised. The class-action suit, filed in southern Florida, accused Hershey of misleading consumers with packaging that depicted Jack-o'-Lantern Reese's Cups with carved designs, which were not present on the actual candies. Consumers claimed they were disappointed when the candies lacked the expected spooky designs.
U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any economic harm. The judge noted that the consumers' disappointment was based on personal expectations rather than any defect or misrepresentation of the product. Hershey argued that customers still received "delicious Reese's candy" and highlighted that the packaging included disclaimers and images of the uncarved candies.
The lawsuit initially sought at least $5 million in damages, but the court found no basis for financial injury. Anthony Russo, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, stated that the ruling was procedural and not based on the merits of the case. He indicated plans to amend the complaint, emphasizing the need for truthful labeling.
Hershey, headquartered in Pennsylvania, has not publicly commented on the case. The company continues to release new Halloween-themed products, including collaborations with 'Peanuts' and other creative designs. As reported by Reuters, Hershey's recent financial performance has been strong, with a significant increase in net sales partly driven by Halloween candy sales.