WOODLAND, Calif. (CN) - Three California district attorneys sued chocolate bunny maker R.M. Palmer Co., claiming it deceptively packaged its "Too Tall" Easter bunny.
The People of California accused the Pennsylvania-based chocolatier of unfair business practices, false advertising and unfair competition, on Jan. 9. in Yolo County Court.
The "Too Tall" bunny's ears pop out of the box - but the box had a false bottom, making it look like the bunny was tall, when in fact, it was a normal sized chocolate bunny, the People say.
The label stated: "Oops! I'm too tall for this box," adding to the false perception that the product fills the box, the district attorneys say.
"The extra space provided no benefit to the contents of the packaging and misled consumers," according to the complaint.
Palmer's website now shows a 7 oz. "Too Tall" bunny, with long legs, though previously it had been 6 oz. with short legs - so say the People.
The district attorneys for Yolo, Sacramento, and San Joaquin County filed the complaint.
They seek civil penalties, an injunction, and costs of the investigation.
The chocolate bunny was invented in the 1800s in Germany. Hollow chocolate bunnies became popular in the United States during World War II because of cocoa rationing. Trade publications say that more than 60 million chocolate bunnies are sold in the United States every year, and more than 75 percent of people start by eating their ears.
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