Mammoth FMCG companies Unilever and Smith’s have both been slapped with $10k fines by the ACCC for misleading healthy food representations.
The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) said the businesses had included the suggestion the food was appropriate for school canteens on the packaging.
Unilever’s Rainbow Paddle Pops apparently included a logo on the front, back and side of the package saying it was “School Canteen Approved”.
Smith’s Sakata Paws Pizza Supreme Rice Snacks also included a similar statement – “Meets School Canteen Guidelines”.
Both companies were handed a $10,800 ACCC fine for misleading representation.
“The ACCC believes both companies were using logos to claim that these products were a healthy option for school canteens to supply to children, when they were not,” said ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court.
“School canteen managers, parents and caregivers rely upon product packaging and labelling when choosing healthy snacks for children. The ACCC is currently examining consumer protection issues around ensuring that the health claims made by large businesses are accurate and will not mislead consumers.”
Unilever and Smith’s have told the ACCC they’ll stop using the logos.
