NSW Fair Trading is calling for an enforceable national standard for free-range egg claims as a result of a "super complaint" from consumer organisation Choice.
The push by NSW Fair Trading for a national standard that would for the first time provide an enforceable definition of 'free-range' was a “major coup for consumers”, according to Choice.
It is now up to consumer ministers from around Australia to agree and implement a national enforceable free-range egg standard, Choice said.
Choice lodged a ‘super-complaint’ in August over the premium price that many Australian consumers are paying for dodgy free-range eggs.
According to the super complaint, while close to 40 per cent of the egg market is now free-range, many products labelled ‘free-range’ do not meet the existing voluntary national standard which sets a maximum stocking density of 1,500 hens per hectare on the outdoor range.
“Consumers are confronted with cartons awash with images of solitary chooks standing in sunlit pastures, but there’s no guarantee you’re getting what you pay for,” Choice campaigns manager Angela Cartwright said.
“We have repeatedly called for a nationally consistent and enforceable standard for free-range eggs to stop consumers being misled by shonky claims.
“We presented evidence to NSW Fair Trading that dodgy free-range egg claims are leading to major rip-offs, with these products costing up to twice as much as cage eggs despite the wide variation in how they are produced,” said Cartwright.
The super complaint process allows Choice to bring forward evidence of issues harming NSW consumers, and requires the regulator to publicly respond within 90 days.
This is the second super complaint Choice has submitted under its trial with NSW Fair Trading.
NSW Fair Trading is calling for a national free-range egg standard.
