Confidence undermined: New Zealand’s agricultural business prides itself on its exports of high-quality dairy merchandise. | Photograph credit score: Firm web site
A New Zealand dairy firm has been caught falsely claiming its merchandise had been “100% pure New Zealand” regardless of utilizing butter imported from India.
Dairy firm Milkio Meals Restricted was fined US$261,452 on Monday (26 August 2024) after the New Zealand Commerce Fee took it to court docket for making false claims in regards to the origin of its butter merchandise.
The Hamilton-based firm misled clients in regards to the origin of its ghee merchandise, with “claims similar to ‘100% pure New Zealand’ regardless of importing the principle ingredient from India,” the Commerce Fee stated in an announcement.
New Zealand’s agricultural business prides itself on its exports of high-quality dairy merchandise, and its abroad clients are anticipating milk and butter from its wealthy pastures.
“Milkio took benefit of this fame to advertise its personal merchandise,” stated Commerce Fee spokeswoman Vanessa Horne.
The corporate additionally submitted false and incomplete info to acquire approval to make use of the FernMark brand, a trusted image to establish merchandise manufactured in New Zealand.
Milkio pleaded responsible to fifteen breaches of New Zealand’s Honest Buying and selling Act for making false statements and admitted utilizing FernMark’s brand and licence quantity with out correct authorisation.
“This conviction ought to function a warning to others who could also be making an attempt to falsely declare the New Zealand model,” Horne added.
