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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-20 Daily Xml
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FOOD LABELLING

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (14:31): My question is to the Deputy Premier in his capacity as the Minister for Business Services and Consumers. What is being done to ensure products sold in South Australia are being labelled truthfully and accurately?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for this very important question. This issue is important to many South Australians because misleading and deceptive food labelling can impact on consumers and businesses alike. This is particularly true when the misrepresentation involves the exploitation of our iconic regions or products. Recently, a Victorian-based company attempted to indicate its product was produced in our Barossa Valley.

The Hon. J.J. Snelling: What?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Yes. Adding insult to injury, there had been reports that this product was also being sold even in the Barossa Valley. I am outraged by this. Packaging of interstate produce that may deceive South Australians into believing that—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport is warned for the first time.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Thank you.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Can you start the timer again, please?

The SPEAKER: No, certainly not.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Anyway, listen. Packaging of interstate produce that may deceive South Australians into believing a particular product is locally produced when it is not is completely unacceptable. I'm passionate about this issue. We must coddle our premium food and wine—our globally recognised brands. This is an 'eggsistential' issue for South Australia. Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct, with penalties of up to $1.1 million for an offence.

The example I am referring to, of course, is Farm Pride Foods—a Melbourne-based business, formerly the Victorian Marketing Board, which was selling eggs under the name of Barossa Ridge Farms. There were concerns that these eggs may not in fact even originate in the Barossa Valley, which, of course, is known for its premium food and wine.

I referred this matter to Consumer and Business Services as a regulator, and they investigated this matter. As a result of that investigation, Farm Pride Foods immediately desisted from using the Barossa Ridge Farms brand, withdrew from sale all eggs under that brand and whisked away all of the packaging. Businesses intending to mislead or deceive through food labelling, including false claims of produce origins, are on notice. South Australia will not stand for it.

Further to this example, CBS have launched Operation Benedict to identify other instances. CBS have subsequently conducted intelligence-based field activities to identify misleading and deceiving labels on products sold in South Australia. CBS will continue to be vigilant on this issue to ensure consumers are protected and our local businesses are protected, as, of course, must be our premium wine and food brands. Truth in food labelling and the integrity of brands must be protected by the Australian Consumer Law. Along with the announcement of an industry code for free-range eggs in South Australia, this has been the biggest week for eggs since Easter.

An honourable member: Since Easter?

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Yes. I strongly encourage any potentially misleading or deceptive food labelling to be reported to Consumer and Business Services.

The SPEAKER: The member for Davenport.

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