Representations about country of origin |
A business can´t make false or misleading representations about the country of origin of goods.
This includes:
- ´made in´ a specific country
- ´product of´ or ´produced in´ a specific country
- use of a logo that identifies a place of originclaiming that ingredients or components were ´grown in´ a specific country.
´Made in´ claims
For a business to claim goods are ´made in´ a particular country:
- the goods must be substantially transformed (a fundamental change in the goods´ appearance, operation or purpose) in that country
- 50 per cent or more of the cost of producing or manufacturing the goods must be incurred in that country.
´Product of´ claims
For a business to claim goods are ´produced in´, ´produce of´ or a ´product of´ a particular country:
- virtually all of the production or manufacturing processes must happen in that country
- all of the significant ingredients or components must come from that country.
Use of a logo
If a business labels a product with a prescribed logo (e.g. the ´Made in Australia´ brand), the goods must:
- have been substantially transformed
- meet the prescribed percentage of production or manufacturing costs that apply for that logo.
´Grown in´ claims
A business can lawfully claim goods are ´grown in´ a particular country when:
- at least 50 per cent of the total weight comprises ingredients or components grown and processed in that country
- virtually all production or manufacturing processes happened in that country
- each significant ingredient or significant component was grown and processed only in that country.
Olive oil claims
Consumers have access to many different types of olive oils these days, with labels that can vary between and within brands. With so many different choices, it can be hard to know what these labels mean, for example, ´extra virgin olive oil´, ´pure´, and ´extra light´.
It´s illegal for olive oil suppliers to mislead or deceive consumers or make misleading claims or representations. This includes claims about the standard, grade or quality of olive oil.
If you are looking for additional information about claims made by suppliers about olive oils, look for products with a recognised certification that their oil meets a recognised standard.
Visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to download a factsheet about ´buying the right olive oil for you´ and where your food comes from.
Last reviewed 11/04/2013 |
 |
