By Matt O'Neale - 4 Dec 2015
Once upon a time there was a yoghurt retailer, Yoghurt Story New
Zealand Limited. This retailer touted its product's
'beneficial bacteria for better digestion and overall good health'
and that 'with Yoghurt Story probiotic yoghurt your stomach will
thank you'. BUT THEN ...
along came the Commerce Commission! They had a minor
quibble with this tale as Yoghurt Story's products may not in fact
contain yoghurt. The Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code
defines yoghurt as 'fermented milk where the fermentation has been
carried out with lactic acid producing micro-organisms. Yoghurt
must contain a minimum of 1 million colony forming units of
bacteria per gram.' Yoghurt Story's products may not meet this
criteria.
Now Yoghurt Story is facing charges in the District Court for
making false or misleading misrepresentations in breach of the Fair
Trading Act.
If you're concerned about telling tales, seek legal advice on
your consumer law obligations.
Contacts
Matt
O'Neale
Melissa
Higham