More than 20 retailers have filed an appeal against a US court decision to clear three chocolate firms over claims they conspired to raise prices between 2002 and 2007.

In February, a court in Pennsylvania ruled in favour of Hershey, Mars and Nestle and dismissed the case, citing a lack of evidence to support the allegations.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

In an email to just-food, a spokesperson for Hershey said the “appeal was expected and is typical for these types of cases”.

“We are pleased that the court recognised that there was no basis for a case and no misconduct on the part of The Hershey Company. We have long held that the allegations in this case were without merit and the court confirmed that with its decision to dismiss the case without a trial,” he added.

A spokesperson for Mars declined to comment saying it was “unable to comment on ongoing litigation”.

Nestle did not respond to requests for comment.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now