Chocolate producers settle class-action lawsuit
Posted September 16, 2013 5:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LONDON, Ont. (NEWS1130) – Here’s a bit of sweet news for some chocolate lovers.
Four of the largest chocolate producers in Canada have agreed to pay more than $23 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging price-fixing and price maintenance in the Canadian market.
The defendants _ Cadbury Adams Canada Inc., Hershey Canada Inc., Nestle Canada Inc. and Mars Canada Inc., as well as distributor ITWAL Limited _ all deny the allegations.
However, they have settled to avoid the expense, inconvenience and distraction of further protracted litigation, says a statement released by lawyers in the case.
The settlements, which reflect a compromise of disputed claims, have been approved by the courts in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec as being fair, reasonable and in the best interests of class members, says the release.
It says together the defendants have paid $23.2 million for the benefit of all persons who bought Cadbury, Hershey, Nestle and/or Mars chocolate products in Canada between Feb. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2008.
