Asahi Beverages is suing a Victorian food manufacturer for allegedly producing mouldy iced tea, after shoppers found “cotton ball-like” chunks in the drink. The Real Iced Tea products were recalled from supermarkets.
According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, Asahi is seeking a full reimbursement of almost $45,000 paid to Aussie Growers Fruits for 100,000 bottles of Real Iced Tea, as well costs for raw materials, loss of potential profits and recall costs.
A spokesperson from Asahi Beverages told Food and Drink Business on press day (21 June), that the matter relates to a contract with a third party to co-pack one litre Real Iced Tea products.
“However, some batches produced by the co-packer were subsequently withdrawn from sale as they did not meet our quality standards. Real Iced Tea products currently in the market are exclusively made by us,” they said.
Aussie Growers Fruits were approached for comment but did not reply by press time.
