A distributor of a range of imported products marketed as fruit juice has agreed to recall all their products after tests as part of a Commerce Commission investigation found that at least two of the products had inaccurate labels.
Armenian Imports Limited trading as Super Juice distributes four juice products imported from Armenia under the brand name Yan. As part of the Commission's investigation tests were carried out on beverages described as 100 per cent blackcurrant juice, 100 per cent peach juice and 100 per cent pomegranate juice. All three beverages had labels claiming that they contained:
no added sugar;
no preservatives;
no artificial flavours;
no artificial colourings; and
no artificial sweeteners.
Testing at an independent laboratory showed that the products which claimed to be 100 per cent blackcurrant juice and 100 per cent peach juice contained little or no traces of fruit of any kind, let alone the fruit that was claimed on the labels. Testing for the product claimed to be 100 per cent pomegranate juice indicated that although it may contain some pomegranate juice, it is unlikely that it is 100 per cent pure pomegranate juice. Another Yan product described as 100 per cent apricot juice has not been tested.
Additionally, the test report questioned whether the vitamin C claims on the labels were correct as they do not align with the typical vitamin C levels found in blackcurrants, peaches or pomegranates.
"The testing shows clearly that the information on the labels relating to these products is incorrect. The distributor has agreed to recall all of their products until further testing has been undertaken to ascertain the exact nature of the products they have imported," said Adrian Sparrow, Commerce Commission Director of Fair Trading.
"As the exact nature of the products is unknown there is not only potential contravention of the Fair Trading Act but risk to consumers. Although at this stage of the Commission's investigation, there is no evidence to suggest that these products are unsafe, given the uncertainty as to the products' ingredients, the Commission advises consumers to exercise caution if they have known allergies," said Mr Sparrow.
"Accurate labelling on food and drink products is vital so that not only can consumers make informed purchasing decisions based on accurate information but so they can make choices about the ingredients they consume, especially in regards to ingredients to which they may have some sensitivity," said Mr Sparrow. "In this case both stockists and consumers may have been misled by inaccurate descriptions on the labels."
The distributor has agreed to contact all retail outlets stocking their products requesting an immediate recall.
If affected consumers wish to seek a refund, they should do so from their purchasing retailer providing either proof of purchase or packaging. Products imported by Armenian Imports were stocked at around 30 stores and supermarkets nationwide.
The Commission's investigation will continue and there will be no further comment at this time about possible action at the conclusion of the investigation. The New Zealand distributor has been cooperating with the Commission's investigation.
Background
The Fair Trading Act. Court penalties for breaching the Fair Trading Act can include fines of up to $200,000 for a company and $60,000 for an individual. Only the courts can decide if a representation has breached the Act.
