AUSVEG today welcomes the actions taken by the New South Wales Food Authority in fining Coles and Woolworths for passing off imported produce as locally grown Australian product.

As the national peak industry body, AUSVEG represents the interests of 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.

“This sends a strong message to the major retailers of the nation that truth in labelling and clearly identifying the origin of produce is an issue of national significance and one that the State and Federal Governments, as well as the ACCC need to examine with the utmost importance,” said AUSVEG Communications and Public Affairs Manager, William Churchill.

“While the fines from today are a drop in the ocean to the supermarket giants it sends a clear message that inaccurately labelling imported produce will not be tolerated.”

Mr Churchill said Sydney radio station 2UE announcer, Jason Morrison, as well as Channel Seven’s Today Tonight program should be commended for their efforts in recently bringing this important issue into the public domain.

“AUSVEG hopes to have discussions with Coles and Woolworths over the coming few weeks to reiterate our concerns over these practices,” Mr Churchill said.
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: William Churchill, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, AUSVEG. Phone: (03) 9822 0388 Mobile: 0411 166 748 Email: william.churchill@ausveg.com.au
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