According to CHOICE, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is now forcing ALDI and Menora to carry out annual testing of the composition of their herb and spice products.
This comes after CHOICE notified the ACCC that, during their own investigations, only five out of the 12 oregano samples they tested were actually 100 per cent oregano.
It is believed that the remaining seven samples of oregano – including ALDI’s Stonemill Oregano and Menora-branded oregano, which is sold in various IGA supermarkets across the country – also contained ingredients other than the primary herb, like olive leaves and sumac leaves.
ALDI and Menora – who were deemed to be the bigger players in the oregano-selling market – have agreed (an ALDI spokesperson has also said that as soon as they found out about the test results back in April, they removed all Stonemill Oregano units from their shelves).
The other, smaller brands, G Fresh Oregano Leaves, Mediterranean, Master of Spices Oregano Leaves and Spice & Co. Oregano Leaves, are said to have agreed to an “administrative resolution”, which involves ensuring that their products are, in fact, 100 per cent oregano.
“Suppliers of food products have an obligation to ensure ingredients of their products are accurately labelled and should be able to substantiate any representations made on the packaging that they approve,” says ACCC chairman Rod Sims.
“The offer of refunds is there. If you take back the empty container you’ll get a refund, take back proof of purchase, you’ll get a refund.”
