The owner of Cadbury has demanded a vegan chocolate company remove its products from shelves.
Devon-based Moo Free is at the centre of a trademark dispute with Mondelēz International over its use of the term "snowball" on its White Choccy Snowballs, gluten-free, biscuit-flavoured rice balls coated in dairy-free white chocolate.
Mondelēz claims the product infringes on its trademark for the words "Snowball" and "Snowballs", which have been registered since 2001 for use in chocolate confectionery.
Mike Jessop, who co-founded Moo Free in 2010, said: "It’s a snowball, it is not like we are making a Freddo."
He said Moo Free had been selling its Snowballs for around two years before receiving the legal threat, which came just before the busy Christmas period.
Mr Jessop said he had never heard of Cadbury Snowballs and, being lactose intolerant, could not try one.
He was surprised by Mondelēz’s "heavy-handed" approach and questioned the ability to trademark what he sees as a generic term.
Moo Free began as an online business before expanding into major supermarkets, starting with Waitrose.
In a letter to customers, the company said: "Moo Free takes intellectual property concerns seriously.
"However, we do not accept that any infringement has been established and have responded accordingly.
"We are disappointed to find ourselves in this position, and we stand in solidarity with Catherine’s Originals as it addresses its own situation.
"We hope to resolve these matters appropriately."
Cadbury Snowballs were first launched in the UK in 1966 and have been sold in their current format as packs of Mini Snow Balls since 2023.
The long-standing product consists of Dairy Milk chocolate covered in a crispy shell of white icing sugar.
In a statement, Mondelēz said: "Cadbury Snow Balls are one of our most popular Christmas products, enjoyed by households across the UK.
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"No legal action has been taken, but we have been in touch with Moo Free to make them aware of our trademark.
"We are open to reaching an amicable resolution."
Newsquest has contacted Mondelēz International for a comment.
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