ACCC accepts court undertakings from Aldi and Menora on oregano
Aldi Foods Pty Ltd and Monde Nissin (Australia) Pty Ltd (the latter trading as Menora Foods Menora), have provided court-enforceable undertakings to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to undertake regular testing of the composition of their products labelled as “oregano”.
This follows the discovery by complaining consumers that the oregano spice products were adulterated by substituted dry olive leaves. The ACCC then investigated the companies.
Both Aldi and Menora accepted their conduct could mislead consumers and contravene Australian Consumer Law.
The companies have also undertaken to implement testing of the composition of a number of other herb and spice products.
Menora oregano, widely available at IGA and independent food services, and Aldi’s private label Stonemill brand of oregano, were found to have a substantial proportion of olive leaves.
The chairman of the ACCC, Mr Rod Sims, said on the 9 November 2016 that suppliers of food products have an obligation to ensure ingredients of their products are accurately labelled.
Companies “should be able to substantiate any representations made on the packaging that they approve,” Sims said.
The ACCC has also agreed to administrative resolutions with smaller suppliers including:
- G Fresh Oregano Leaves “Mediterranean”
- Master of Spices Oregano Leaves
- Spice & Co Oregano Leaves
According to the ACCC, the court undertakings and other ACCC actions will ensure that these companies should cease supply of adulterated oregano products and that the companies will be supplying only authentic products.
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