In a courtroom in Madrid, a judge lifted a gavel as Mercadona’s legal team celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to reject two appeals concerning the labeling of its horchata product.
The ruling confirms a lower court judgment from Valencia that had already sided with Mercadona, its supplier Panach, and dairy group Lactalis Puleva. The Supreme Court dismissed an extraordinary appeal alleging procedural errors and a cassation appeal challenging the earlier verdict.
Mercadona, Spain’s largest supermarket chain, had faced a five-year legal dispute over whether the horchata’s packaging complied with labeling regulations. The company argued that the label accurately reflected the product’s ingredients and origin, while consumer groups claimed it was misleading.
Legal experts said the decision underscores the difficulty of overturning regional court rulings at the national level. The court’s refusal to entertain the appeals means the current labeling will remain in stores across the country.
Industry observers expect the outcome to set a precedent for similar food‑labeling cases, potentially limiting future challenges to product branding. Mercadona and its partners have indicated they will continue to monitor regulatory developments and maintain compliance with existing standards.