Would the real Oregano please stand up?

Following a complaint from the consumer advocate group Choice, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) initiated an investigation into a number of products labelled as ‘Oregano’. Choice alleged a number of products labelled as Oregano were not 100% oregano.

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Anchor Foods Pty Ltd trading as Spencers Gourmet Trading (Spencers), following an investigation into alleged misrepresentations made as to the composition of Spencers’ oregano product.

During 2015, Spencers made representations on the front and back of the packaging of its oregano product that the product contained only oregano. These statements included the text Oregano on the front of the package.

Test results provided to the ACCC indicated the substantial presence of olive leaves in the Spencers’ oregano product.

In an enforceable undertaking given to the ACCC, Spencers 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 is continuing its investigation in relation to other products labelled as oregano.