Mars Prevails in Suit Over Slave Labor Labels on Chocolate

Mars Inc. defeated a proposed class suit alleging it failed to disclose the use of child or slave labor in the production of chocolate products.

Robert Hodson alleged the candymaker violated California consumer protection laws, and contended he wouldn’t have bought the chocolate or wouldn’t have paid as much if the unsavory labor practices had been revealed.

But California consumer protection laws don’t obligate companies to label their goods as possibly being produced by child or slave labor, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held June 4.

Forced labor issues have gained public attention in recent years, ...