German Appeals Court Dismisses Challenge to Ritter Sport’s “Natural” Vanilla Flavor

A German appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by consumer group
Stiftung Warentest accusing candy manufacturer Ritter Sport of labeling
its Whole Hazelnut bar as natural despite containing piperonal, which the
group contends can only be obtained using unnatural chemicals. The ruling
prevents Stiftung Warentest from claiming Ritter is misleading customers but
does not yet allow claims for damages. A representative of Stiftung Warentest
expressed disappointment with the decision, saying that they still did not
know how Ritter produced the piperonal, but a Ritter representative said that
the company, along with its piperonal supplier Symrise, had filed patents
on how the substance could be obtained naturally. See Confectionery News,
September 15, 2014.

Issue 539