The darling of social networks, “Dubai chocolate” has become a case for German justice: a court has just banned Aldi supermarkets from selling a brand of this pistachio treat, because it was produced… in Turkey.
At the origin of the business, businessman Andreas Wilmers, who imports into Germany this delicacy manufactured by the Fix Dessert Chocolatier chocolate factory in this Emirate. He had filed a complaint against Aldi Süd – the Aldi supermarkets in southern Germany – which offered “Alyan Dubai Handmade Chocolate”, produced in Türkiye, on its shelves.
Popularized by a culinary influencer, the chocolate with pistachio cream and crispy kadaïf, designed by the Dubai chocolate factory, has sparked worldwide enthusiasm, with limited editions resold at high prices on the web and chocolatiers like Lindt seeking to replicate its success.
For the German entrepreneur who lives with his family in Dubai, “it is simply unacceptable that it says ‘Dubai Handmade Chocolate’ when the chocolate sold at Aldi is made in Turkey,” he told the AFP.
“If it said ‘Dubai style’ or something like that, it would have been acceptable, but misleading the consumer like that is not okay,” he added.
Mr. Wilmers, who told the weekly “Der Spiegel” “that he had started importing Dubai chocolate bars into Germany in wheeled suitcases,” claims to have been alerted to the existence of these imitation products by consumers complaining about the bad taste of the treat.
-The Cologne court sided with Mr Wilmers, finding that “the average consumer would take the expression ‘Dubai Handmade Chocolate’ as it appears to mean that the chocolate was made in Dubai”, according to a decision dating from January 2, seen by AFP, and likely to be challenged on appeal.
“The label ‘Origin: Turkey’ on the back is not likely to dispel this misunderstanding,” added the court, emphasizing its position and the “small size of the characters”.
Questioned by AFP, Aldi Süd said it could not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
Also in Mr Wilmers’ sights is Swiss chocolatier Lindt, which has since changed the packaging of its “Dubai-style” chocolate. It is also considering action against discount supermarkets Lidl, rivals of Aldi, after the latter refused to stop selling its Dubai-style confectionery.
Related News :