American chocolate manufacturer Hershey faces accusations of using child labor and lying about the health qualities of its candy in two separate civil cases.

One lawsuit, brought by the Louisiana Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System, which owns 1,800 Hershey shares, claims Hershey has refused to turn over records that could prove the company has stopped using child labor and forced labor to harvest chocolate in Africa.

“For more than a decade, Hershey has acknowledged the systemic evils of child and forced labor in the cocoa industries of Ghana and the Ivory Coast and pledged action to eliminate it,” the complaint states.

The complaint goes on to say Hershey “has knowingly failed to fulfill its promises. Instead, Hershey has continued to produce and sell chocolate that is the fruit of child and forced labor. If the company has knowingly supported or exploited the use of child or forced labor in Ghana or the Ivory Coast, Hershey itself has acted unlawfully or aided and abetted unlawful conduct.”

In another lawsuit, a consumer claims Hershey was wrong to advertise that its Special Dark Cocoa and Special Dark Kisses contain healthful antioxidants. Lead plaintiff Leon Khasin says the company should be admonished for violating labeling laws that prevent businesses from falsely promoting ingredients in their products.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Hershey Co. Sued for Info on Child Labor (by Julia Filip, Courthouse News Service)

Antioxidant Claims Could Cost Hershey (by Maria Dinzeo, Courthouse News Service)

Hundreds of Foreign Exchange Students Walk off Job at Hershey’s Candy Warehouse (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)