Popular chocolate
Court bans Aldi Süd from selling its Dubai chocolate
A product advertised as Dubai chocolate must have a connection to Dubai. This was decided by the Cologne Regional Court. The discounter Aldi Süd suffered a defeat.
The discounter Aldi Süd is no longer allowed to sell its Dubai chocolate. The Cologne regional court issued an interim injunction against the company, which temporarily prohibits the sale. The decision is available to the German Press Agency (AZ: 33 O 544/24).
In Germany, a product may only be called “Dubai chocolate” or similar if it was made in Dubai or has some other geographical connection to Dubai. Otherwise there is a risk that consumers will be misled.
Aldi Süd offered the “Alyan Dubai Handmade Chocolate” in its branches from December. The chocolate was produced in Turkey, as stated on the back. However, from the court’s point of view, this information is not sufficient. Because of the name, consumers should assume “that the product was actually manufactured in Dubai and imported to Germany,” according to the decision. Other media reported about it first.
The confectionery importer Andreas Wilmers, who sells Fex brand chocolate made in Dubai in Germany, had sued. If this occurs again, Aldi Süd faces a fine. When asked, the discounter did not want to comment on the case. The decision is not yet legally binding; Aldi Süd can still lodge an objection.
Manufacturer: No designation of origin
In December, Wilmers also warned the discounter Lidl and the confectionery manufacturer Lindt because of the sale of Dubai chocolate. There is currently no decision regarding these proceedings.
Lindt then explained that the term “Dubai chocolate” was a variety name for chocolate with the typical pistachio Kadayif filling and not for chocolate that comes from Dubai. The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry announced that Dubai chocolate could be produced anywhere in the world.
A real hype has recently arisen around the chocolate filled with pistachio cream and crispy dough strands. The candy also owes its rise to social media such as Instagram and Tiktok. The chocolate quickly sold out in many Aldi stores in December. In recent months, the panels have also been sold in Lindt boutique stores nationwide. The chocolate caused meter-long queues in front of shops and resales online for hundreds of euros. 100 grams of Dubai chocolate costs up to 20 euros.
dpa
Source: Stern
