Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Child-labor traceability criticism
Hershey acknowledged that its cocoa supply chain was not fully traceable to farm level and therefore could not guarantee that its chocolate was free from child slave labor. The disclosure renewed criticism of the industry's longstanding cocoa labor commitments.
2015
Legal action over imported British Cadbury products
Hershey sued an importer to stop distribution of British Cadbury chocolate in the United States, relying on trademark and trade-dress concerns. The action generated consumer criticism because of differences between U.S. and British Cadbury products.
2006
Reformulation and milk-chocolate labeling controversy
Hershey reformulated several products by replacing some cocoa butter with vegetable oil. Consumer criticism followed, and affected products were relabeled because they no longer met the U.S. regulatory definition of milk chocolate.
2006
Salmonella-related product recall
Hershey temporarily closed its Smiths Falls, Ontario, plant and voluntarily recalled products after possible Salmonella contamination was associated with soy lecithin in the production line.
1937
Violent labor conflict during failed sit-down strike
A CIO-backed organizing effort culminated in a failed sit-down strike. Strikers were attacked as they attempted to leave the plant, and the episode became one of the most controversial labor events in Hershey's history.