M&M’s Candies, Dove Candy Bars, Snickers Bars, and More

November 2014: This case was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. The named plaintiff’s individual claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. and the class members’ claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled..

July 2014: A false advertising class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars, Inc. for allegedly misleadingly marketing several types of candy, including Dark Chocolate M&Ms, Peanut M&Ms, Dove candy bars, and Snickers bars. Among other things, the complaint alleges that the candy company:

• Makes misleading nutrient content claims – such as its chocolate products are a “source of cocoa flavanols” – without meeting minimum nutritional requirements, in violation of state and federal law; and
• Makes calorie-related nutrient content claims without meeting the minimum requirements to make such claims and without adequately informing consumers of the “inherently unhealthy nature” of the candy, in violation of state and federal law.

(Anson et al v. Mars, Inc.; Mars Chocolate North America, LLC; Safeway, Inc.; and The Vons Companies, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-02032, S. D. CA.).

For more information about other class-action lawsuits against Mars and TINA.org’s coverage of the company, click here.