Anchor Foods, trading as Spencers, has made a court-enforceable undertaking to undertake regular testing of its oregano.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it accepted the undertaking following an investigation into alleged misrepresentations made by Spencers relating to the composition of its oregano product.
During 2015, Spencers made representations on the front and back of the pack that the product contained only oregano, but the ACCC said test results indicated the substantial presence of olive leaves in the product.
Ealier this year, a Choice investigation revealed that most major Australian brands were selling adulterated oregano. The consumer advocacy group tested 12 brands and found only five of these were 100 per cent oregano.
Spencers supplies major retailers in Western Australia and in 2015 it sold 100,000 units or oregano. The company has undertaken to obtain annual testing of its oregano product by an internationally accredited testing laboratory, as well as testing of random samples of its other herbs and spices products for a period of three years.
“Suppliers must ensure that they have a basis for any representations made about a product, including on its label or other packaging” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.
“It is crucial for consumers that labelling on food products, particularly about ingredients or composition, is accurate and truthful so they can make informed purchasing decisions.”
The ACCC says it is continuing its investigation in relation to other products labelled as oregano.
