Florida Woman Sues Hershey for Misleading Packaging on Reese’s Seasonal Chocolates

A Florida woman has filed a $5 million lawsuit against The Hershey Company, accusing the chocolate giant of deceiving customers with misleading packaging on Reese’s seasonal-shaped chocolates. Cynthia Kelly from Tampa claims that the packaging does not accurately represent the actual contents of the chocolates.

Misleading Packaging Allegations

In the lawsuit filed in Florida’s Middle District Court, Kelly points out specific examples of the discrepancies between the packaging and the chocolates themselves. For instance, the pumpkin-shaped chocolate lacks the eyes and nose cutouts depicted on the packaging, while the football shape resembles an egg.

The lawsuit states, “Hershey’s labels for the Products are materially misleading and numerous consumers have been tricked and misled by the pictures on the Products’ packaging.” It further describes the case as a class action against Hershey for falsely representing Reese’s Peanut Butter products as having carved-out artistic designs that are absent in the actual products.

Examples of Misleading Products

The lawsuit includes various photographs of the alleged misleading products, such as a ghost with no eye holes and a football-shaped candy that resembles an egg. These examples highlight the disparity between the packaging and the actual appearance of the chocolates.

The Incident that Sparked the Lawsuit

Kelly’s lawsuit stems from her purchase of pumpkin-shaped candies at Aldi for $4.49. She believed that the chocolates would feature a carved pumpkin’s mouth and eyes, as depicted on the product packaging. However, upon opening the snack-sized Reese’s, she discovered that the carved face was not included.

The Lawsuit’s Scope

In addition to the pumpkin shapes, the lawsuit covers other seasonal shapes, including ghosts, bats, footballs, snowmen, and bell-shaped treats. The class-action lawsuit aims to represent all consumers in Florida who purchased these products.

Reese’s Packaging Controversy

Kelly also claims that Reese’s packaging used to accurately represent the chocolates without displaying faces. She mentions that a few years ago, the packaging was not deceptive. Furthermore, she cites YouTube videos where creators accuse Reese’s of lying and failing to deliver on their promises.

The New York Post has reached out to Hershey for comment on the lawsuit.