A federal judge sent District of Columbia-based consumer protection claims filed by an environmental group against Hershey, one of the world’s largest chocolate producers, back to the Superior Court over arguments from Akin Gump lawyers that the matter should be litigated in U.S. District Court.

The claims, filed by Corporate Accountability Lab in late 2021, allege that Hershey Co. and its chocolate provider, The Rainforest Alliance, were deceptive in labeling the products “sustainable” and “responsible” when, in the environmental group’s eyes, they are actually the product of “grievous and unsustainable” labor practices.