Yoghurt manufacturer Moo Premium Foods (Moo) has been found guilty of misleading consumers with its claims of using “100 per cent ocean plastic” on its packaging, website, and social media pages.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigated the company’s claims and found that they violated the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits false or misleading representations, otherwise known as greenwashing.
Despite the disclaimers on Moo’s packaging, the ACCC considered them insufficient to offset the headline representation of “100 per cent ocean plastic”.
ACCC commissioner Liza Carver said the investigation revealed that the plastic resin used to manufacture Moo’s yoghurt packaging was collected from coastal areas in Malaysia and not directly from the ocean.
“Making false statements about a product’s environmental or sustainability qualities can mislead consumers, as well as putting the businesses making genuine claims at a competitive disadvantage,” she continued.
“It is important that environmental and sustainability claims by businesses are correct as they are a key influence on consumer choices and what people spend their money on.”
Moo has admitted to the ACCC that its claims were false and has agreed to remove all references to ocean plastic from its packaging, website, and social media platforms.
The company has also pledged to publish corrective notices on its website and social media platforms.
Additionally, it has committed to conducting internal audits of the resin used in its packaging and implementing an Australian Consumer Law compliance program.
“Businesses must ensure any environmental claims made are accurate and truthful, including taking reasonable steps to verify supporting information provided to businesses by suppliers,” added Carver.
“This enforcement outcome against Moo is a reminder of the importance for businesses to regularly review any environmental or sustainability claims about their products to ensure they are correct and up to date.”
A copy of the undertaking is available on the ACCC’s website.
