A judge dismissed a lawsuit against Hershey over Reese’s Halloween packaging, saying consumers’ disappointment didn’t prove legal harm.

A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Hershey over its Reese’s Halloween candy packaging, ruling that plaintiffs failed to prove concrete economic harm despite claiming the candies were misleadingly advertised. The lawsuit alleged that images of carved pumpkins and ghosts on the packaging misled consumers into expecting intricately designed chocolates, but the actual candies were plain. Judge Melissa Damian stated that while buyers may have been disappointed, the products were not defective, tasted as expected, and included disclaimers noting the designs were for decorative suggestion. The ruling emphasized that subjective expectations of "spookiness" or intricate carving do not constitute legal harm. Plaintiffs’ attorney plans to amend the complaint and continue pursuing damages, while Hershey maintains its marketing was not deceptive.