Aroma Espresso Bar Sues Supplier for $950,000 Over Smelly Baked Goods
Aroma Espresso Bar, a prominent Israeli coffee and bakery chain, is suing its raw materials supplier, Sharon-Foratos, for 3.8 million shekels (approximately $950,000 USD) in damages. The lawsuit, filed in the Jerusalem District Court, alleges that Sharon-Foratos, part of the Belgian Poratos corporation, supplied defective baking ingredients that caused a "foul odor" in Aroma's baked goods.
Aroma claims that Sharon-Foratos misrepresented the quality of its products, specifically mentioning baking improvers like "Kimo" and "Croissant Aroma." According to the lawsuit, Aroma discovered in May 2023 that the supplier had identified an undesirable reaction with milk-containing doughs when using one of the improvers and had recommended against its use. At that time, Aroma was using the improver in three of its flagship products: chocolate croissants, butter croissants, and cinnamon Danish.
The chain alleges that upon receiving the supplier's warning, it immediately instructed its distributors and logistics centers to halt the distribution of products manufactured between May 18 and May 24, 2023. Aroma further claims that in some cases, it was impossible to separate affected products from unaffected ones, leading to the destruction of all baked goods produced between May 11 and May 24. Aroma stated that these three products are significant to its sales, and the destruction of inventory had a substantial impact.
The lawsuit details customer complaints received by Aroma about a foul smell in chocolate croissants and a bad odor from pastries even before baking. Aroma also claims that an alternative baking improver recommended by the supplier was also found to be defective, necessitating further product destruction. Aroma asserts that Sharon-Foratos admitted to making ingredient changes without timely notification, causing significant damage to Aroma's products and leading to losses from recalled goods, unfulfilled orders, and reputational harm.
Aroma is seeking compensation for damaged products valued at 2.95 million shekels, undelivered goods worth 161,000 shekels, and destruction and transportation costs totaling 24,000 shekels. The chain accuses the supplier of negligence in production, quality control, and communication. Sharon-Foratos has not yet filed a defense, and no comment has been received from the company.
