The products in question were:

• Aldi’s Stonemill brand of oregano sold exclusively at Aldi; and
• The Menora brand of oregano available at IGA and independent food services across Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia.

“By labelling their products as ‘Oregano’, both Aldi and Menora represented to consumers that their products contained only oregano. Test results provided to the ACCC identified the substantial presence of olive leaves in both Aldi and Menora’s oregano products,” said ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims. “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.”

Both Aldi and Menora have provided undertakings to regularly obtain test reports, which confirm the composition of their products labelled as ‘Oregano’. They have also undertaken to implement testing of the composition of a number of other herb and spice products.

To improve clarity in the industry, the ACCC has also agreed to administrative resolutions with the smaller suppliers of “G Fresh Oregano Leaves “Mediterranean”, “Master of Spices Oregano Leaves” and “Spice & Co. Oregano Leaves” which ensure they cease supply of oregano products that contain contents other than oregano leaves and will take steps to confirm the authenticity of their oregano products for future supply.

The ACCC said that it is continuing its investigation into other traders in relation to products labelled as oregano.