Several major Australian supermarkets including the popular chain Aldi, have come under fire after it was found that they were padding their oregano products with olive leaves.
International discount supermarket chain Aldi — as well as IGA, Coles, Woolworths and many other independent stores across Australia — have recently come under fire from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after standard testing revealed that two of their popular stocked oregano products (Stonemill and Menora brands) contained a large percentage of olive leaves instead of the actual herb on the label.
This comes after the Australian consumer group CHOICE’s discovery that only five out of twelve popular brands of dried oregano products being sold in Australia contained pure oregano. The ACCC investigation was instigated after a formal complaint by CHOICE earlier this year.
Random tests of dried oregano products were taken in April of this year following outcomes by U.K consumer advocacy group Which? producing similar results, prompting CHOICE to request in-depth testing of similar local products.
While only single samples of each product where taken, the results were still indicative of a potential breach of Australian Consumer Law as a deliberate attempt to deceive consumers as the packaging of these products had a ‘100 percent oregano’ claim. Aldi said that supply chain issues are to blame and that they were just as surprised as consumers with the test results.
While Aldi has not the worst offender identified it was singled out by the ACCC due to its prominence and reach in the market.
The chain has now agreed to submit to regular testing of its oregano products and is offering consumers refunds on all compromised products purchased within a certain time period.
It is estimated that close to 200,000 units were sold to customers during a year-long period. The brand has also promised to pursue “administrate solutions” with suppliers of their oregano products to prevent this problem happening again.
Aldi is currently the third-largest supermarket chain in Australia and is said to be rapidly gaining on its competitors using a low price strategy to lure customers from other chains. It has yet to be seen whether these revelations will have an impact on consumer confidence or dampen the brand’s plan to expand from its 400 stores into other locations in South and Western Australia.
While there is no explanation yet for how the olive leaves found their way into the oregano products, it is thought that the leaves where chosen due to their bitter taste and low price and the fact that when chopped finely it resembles oregano herbs.
Olive leaves are more frequently used as key ingredient in tea, where its liquid is extracted to form a solution that has been used in traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern markets for centuries. It is also powdered and bottled in pill form for its alleged anti-oxidant and immune boosting properties.
More articles on: Australia, olive oil fraud, olive oil retailers
Oct. 23, 2023
Australians Overcome Cold, Wet Harvest to Win in New York
Producers in Australia earned fifteen awards at the 2023 NYIOOC after a chilly, damp harvest reduced their yield.
Apr. 11, 2024
Germany's Consumer Watchdog Warns Olive Oil Quality Is Falling
The warning comes after 17 of 19 samples of labeled extra virgin olive oil were found to be marginal, at best.
Apr. 1, 2024
Olive Lace Bug Adds to Harvest Woes for Australian Farmers
Wet summers and mild winters have allowed the Australian lace bug to spread from its usual host plants to olive trees across the island.
Oct. 31, 2023
Trade Group Launches Digital Campaign to Promote Olive Oil in Australia
The Australian Olive Oil Association has teamed up with leading social media influencers to encourage consumers to use more olive oil.
Jun. 5, 2024
Pompeian VP Says Baltimore Bridge Disaster Cost Company Millions
While the company was able to receive its most recent shipment of European olive oil through the port, the measures taken after the disaster were unsustainable in the long run.
Sep. 18, 2023
Olive Oil Thefts Rising in Mills and Supermarkets Across Spain
Rising prices and an increase in organized criminal activity are driving the increase in thefts, officials said.
Aug. 29, 2023
World Olive Oil Competition Southern Hemisphere Live Updates
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition is unveiling award winners in the Southern Hemisphere division of the annual quality contest. Olive Oil Times writers around the world are covering the results and reactions.
Mar. 10, 2024
Researchers Use Ultrasound to Detect Adulterated Olive Oil
They could detect extra virgin olive oil adulterated with as little as one percent sunflower or refined olive oil.