Crackdown on honey labelling laws welcomed

THE Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) has welcomed a ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC) to fine Hume Import & Export (Australia) Pty Ltd, trading as Bera Foods, $10,200 for false labelling honey.

The ACCC ruled that, by using the word “Honey” and including a map of Australia on the “Hi Honey” label, Bera Foods had misrepresented the product as Australian honey, when in fact the product was predominantly composed of plant sugars and was produced in Turkey.

TFGA CEO Jan Davis said that TFGA had consistently been a strong supporter of improving the current Country of Origin Law (CoOL), both internationally and domestically.

“In our submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry into Food Origin Labelling the TFGA stated that a ‘truth in labelling’ dictum should apply across the board. Severe sanctions should be applied for those found guilty of circumventing Australia’s CoOL by staging imports through third countries,’’ she said.

Recently, the ACCC also took steps to ensure suppliers of “Sunshine Honey”, “Hecham Honey”, “Brezzo Italian Red Gum Honey”, “Meg Myucku 100% natural honey” and “Golden Honey” ceased supply of the products and withdrew remaining stocks from wholesale customers, because each of these products labelled as honey was not entirely produced by honey bees.

Ms Davis said that improved labelling laws were in the best interest of consumers.

“The current terminology used in food labelling is confusing and fails to adequately inform consumers, resulting in a need for easily understood and standardised language. The use of “Made in” and “Product of” may have definitions under law, however consumers find them contradictory and unclear and they do little to enhance the credentials of the products being sold.’’

Next to cost, food safety is an important consideration for many consumers and does influence buying choices, and an opportunity exists to enhance Australian produce.

“If consumers are made aware, via more stringent labelling, that some overseas products are produced in less than ideal conditions, then they may be more inclined to buy local, which is ultimately the outcome that we are all looking for.”
TFGA Chief Executive Jan Davis