'Disguised Indian origin biscuits' featuring koala, Oz flag banned Down Under | Australian Herald

'Disguised Indian origin biscuits' featuring koala, Oz flag banned Down Under

Australian Herald (ANI) Saturday 7th January, 2012

An Australian consumer watchdog has banned biscuits imported from India, which use logos featuring a koala, gum leaves and an Australian flag to conceal its actual place of origin.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) halted the imports of 'Ozdownunder Super Sandwich Cream Cookies' after an independent Senator, Nick Xenophon, complained about the product.

Xenophon complained to the ACCC because the words "Product of India" were hidden under a plastic flap on the packet, telegraph.com.au reports.

According to the report, the problem was highlighted to Senator Xenophon by former Burnside Councillor Jim Jacobsen who bought the biscuits and took them home before realising the problem.

Under the Australian consumer law, the use of Australian logos is not prohibited, but they cannot convey or contains a false, misleading or deceptive representation.

Meanwhile, the ACCC confirmed in a letter to Xenophon that Ozdownunder, the Melbourne-based company, had agreed to "put prominent made in India material on existing stock, and reprint packaging before importation resumes."

"The ACCC shared your view that the logo used on the packaging of the cookies could mislead consumers into believing that the cookies are a product of Australia," the letter added. (ANI)