When is oregano not oregano?

Hoyt Food Manufacturing Industries Pty Ltd has paid a $10,800 penalty as a result of an ACCC infringement notice.  The ACCC alleged that it had reasonable grounds to believe that Hoyt’s had made false or misleading representations contrary to s 18 and s 29(1)(i)the Australian Consumer Law.  The product the subject of the infringement notice was Hoyt’s 25g net variety called “Hoyt’s Oregano Leaves Rubbed”.

The labelling “Oregano Leaves” and the statement “Oregano has a strong aromatic camphor like scent” suggested that Hoyt’s product was only oregano (with minor trace ingredients).  However, the ACCC’s testingdemonstrated that 50% of the product was … olive leaf!