ACCC fines Coles for Australia grown produce claims

Supermarket chain Coles has been fined $61,200 by watchdog the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for allegedly misleading consumers about the country of origin on some of its fresh produce.

In a statement issued this morning, the ACCC said it had issued six infringement notices to Coles for claims made in five of its stores between March 2013 and May 2013.

According to the ACCC, Coles had displayed imported navel oranges and kiwi fruit underneath price boards which read ‘Helping Australia Grow’ with the triangular ‘Australian Grown’ symbol.

“Consumers should be able to rely on the accuracy of claims about food, particularly when they are prepared to pay a premium for products made in Australia. Misleading country of origin claims can also have a significant impact on the competitive process and hurt the local economy,” said Rod Sims, chairman of the ACCC.