A proposed class-action lawsuit in Florida accusing Hershey of misleading shoppers with faceless Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins has hit a dead end after a federal judge ruled that disappointment over the candy's appearance did not amount to a real financial injury.
Here's what to know
U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian dismissed the case brought by Florida men Nathan Vidal and Eduardo Granados, who said Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins were sold in packaging that showed a jack-o'-lantern face not molded into the candy itself, Reuters reported.
Vidal and Granados said the "cool and beautiful carved-out designs" were part of why they bought the seasonal treats and that they paid more because of that expectation. Damian rejected that argument, characterizing the alleged harm as "subjective disappointment" rather than a concrete financial loss.
Their effort to show a price premium failed because the complaint relied on pricing from places other than where they bought the candy. Although the plaintiffs purchased the products at Publix, the lawsuit cited prices from other retailers and Hershey's web store.
More background
The packaging language itself also posed a problem for the claim. Materials included in the opinion labeled the pumpkin-face image a "DECORATING SUGGESTION," weakening the argument that the candy was guaranteed to include that design.
The dispute began in 2024. Damian had already dismissed an earlier version of the complaint in September 2025 while allowing the plaintiffs to amend it, and she has now dismissed the revised filing as well.
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Hershey has also faced lawsuits over other seasonal Reese's products, including ghost-shaped candies that lacked the pictured facial features and football-shaped chocolates without the laces shown on the packaging.
Such complaints may require specific financial harm, clear proof of a price premium, or stronger evidence that the product materially differed from what was promised.
According to Reuters, the plaintiffs' attorney said an appeal is planned.
Where can I learn more?
While the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins lawsuit centers on aesthetics, consumers nationwide have pointed out more nefarious candy packaging tactics, from misleading marketing claims to questionable food ingredients.
• A Halloween shopper blasted deceiving novelty packaging after the candy inside fell short.
• A frustrated buyer said Reese's Halloween packaging should be illegal after seeing excess plastic.
• A concerned parent questioned Red 40 after seeing commonly used food dye in candy.
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