ACCC initiates inquiries into food labelling

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced on 7 August that it has initiated inquiries into the claims raised by the ABC’s Four Corners program recently, in line with its usual practices regarding allegations about potentially material, misleading consumer conduct.

Dr Andrew Leigh MP Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury said the Albanese Government welcomed confirmation by the ACCC that it is investigating the allegations of food mislabelling raised by the ABC’s program.

“Whether a product is marketed as Australian‑grown, cage‑free, or made from particular ingredients, consumers have a right to expect the label tells the truth,” Leigh said in the statement.

The Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016 requires most foods that are offered for retail sale in Australia to have information on the country where the food was grown, produced or made.

ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward said: “It is important that consumers can be confident that any claims made on food labelling, packaging and in advertisements are truthful, accurate and not misleading.”

“We know that consumers may be guided by non-price factors, including claims about the country of origin or supply chain, when choosing which food products to buy.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Achisatha Khamsuwan