A class action lawsuit alleges that Godiva chocolates are falsely advertised as Belguim chocolate products when they are actually made in Reading, Pennsylvania.
On Godiva packaging, store fronts, display stands, and advertising, โBelgium 1926โ is reportedly displayed prominently.
The Godiva class action lawsuit states that these representations induce consumers into believing that Godiva chocolates are made in Belgium and shipped to the U.S.
According to the Godiva class action lawsuit, Godiva takes advantage of the reputation of Belgian chocolates in order to promote their products and make them seem like they are of the highest quality.
Godiva reportedly started using their โBelgium 1926โ tagline in 2009 as part of a multimillion dollar marketing campaign allegedly aiming to reinforce the idea that Godiva chocolates are made in Belgium.
โGodiva intentionally plays on the false impression that the Godiva Chocolates are made in Belgium and then imported to the United States, in order to enhance the image of Godiva Chocolates as luxury chocolates. It does this because Belgian chocolates are widely known to be among the highest quality in the world,โ the Godiva chocolates class action lawsuit claims.
The difference between American and Belgian chocolates may seem insignificant, but the Godiva class action argues that the devil is in the details.
Chocolates made in America reportedly use different butters, creams, and alcohol, resulting in a distinctly different taste.
Melanie Draps, the granddaughter of the Godiva founder, reportedly told The Washington Post: โIโve tried the American Godivas and they do taste different.โ
Plaintiff Adam Buxbaum claims that he and other consumers were harmed by Godivaโs alleged misrepresentations because the belief that the chocolates were made in Belgium played a โsignificant factorโ in their purchasing decisions.
The Godiva chocolates class action further argues that consumers may not have even purchased the products or paid as much for them had they known about the true origins of the chocolates.
โConsumers are willing to pay more for chocolates made in Belgium. They are also induced to make purchases that they otherwise would not have but for the belief that the chocolate is from Belgium,โ Buxbaum argues in the Godiva class action lawsuit. โIndeed, consumers, like Plaintiff, place inherent value on this perception, in addition to any value placed on the chocolate due to taste.โ
Buxbaum seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased Godiva chocolates in the United States. He also seeks to represent two subclasses of the same consumers in California who are protected under additional state laws.
The Godiva class action lawsuit seeks Class certification, injunctive relief, restitution, disgorgement, economic damages, monetary damages, actual damages, consequential damages, compensatory damages, treble damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneysโ fees.
Buxbaum and the proposed Class are represented by Benjamin Heikali and Joshua Nassir of Faruqi & Faruqi LLP, and Aubry Wand of The Wand Law Firm PC.
The Godiva Chocolates Class Action Lawsuit is Buxbaum v. Godiva Chocolatier Inc., Case No. 3:19-cv-00558, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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1,208 thoughts onGodiva Class Action Says Belgium Chocolates are Made in Pennsylvania
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Anne Greenway
Iโm pretty sure it was never a secret that the chocolates were made in the US. Also, yes, the box says โBelgium 1926โ but it does not claim to be โmade inโ Belgium. ANY type of food you buy in the US that is from another country NEVER tastes the same if you were to taste it from the actual country. If itโs that much of an issue, donโt buy it!! or go to Belgium and buy it from there. hahaha dummies.
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Maybe this person should get facts straight and stop trying get what they think is easy money a lot of people will be out of a job if they close I worked there 15 years and would still be there if I didnโt move away!
This suit may cost the people in the Exeter Township plant their jobs. The company may just say, itโs easier to just close the PA plant and move all operations to Belgium then to fight the suit and redesign and print new packaging.
This is a pretty suit that may do more damage than good.
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