German chocolatier wins court battle

Chocolate brand Ritter Sport has won a court battle against German consumer protection group Stiftung Warentest in a dispute over whether its hazelnut chocolate bars contain artificial or natural vanilla flavour, Reuters reports.

The row erupted in November when the protection group claimed in a consumer protection report that the vanilla used in Ritter Sport hazelnut chocolate bars was artificially enhanced.

Chocolate maker Alfred Ritter took the group to court and the case made headlines in Germany when a Munich state court ordered the group to stop claiming the vanilla in the bars – distinct for their dark green wrapping – was not natural.