The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed on Thursday that Supabarn branded two litre apple juice, manufactured by the Griffith-based Real Juice Company, was falsely labelled “Made in Griffith”.

ACCC chair Rod Sims said the claims made versus the reality of the situation were “very concerning”.

“In addition, false or misleading claims of this kind not only mislead consumers, but can also disadvantage competing suppliers in the market, especially those who are using Australian grown fruit,” Mr Sims said.

Supabarn, a Sydney-based supermarket that stocked the juice, was also fined for claiming its home-brand cranberry juice did not have added sugar when it did.

A Supabarn spokesman cried foul, saying in an original statement to Fairfax Media that it was a “victim”.

“Supabarn itself was misled by Real Juice about the composition of its product...(it is) considering its legal position in relation to the conduct of Real Juice.”

The label on the apple juice, sold between January 2014 and March 2015, also falsely claimed: “It’s produced locally using the freshest quality Apples” and “Straight From a Farm”.

Appledale Processors Co-Operative chair David Gartrell was appalled by the findings, saying the company’s actions marred the entire industry.

“Certainly, we worry that it impacts consumer confidence,” Mr Gartrell said.

The findings place greater importance on the co-operative’s decade-long push for tighter labelling restrictions. 

“It’s disappointing, considering the push from all Australian manufacturers in regard to labelling, that they have tried to sneak in imported juice,” he said. 

He said a lack of juicing apples in 2014 had probably led the company to purchasing the Chinese juice.

“Some companies did this but put the label ‘from local and imported ingredients’,” Mr Gartrell said.

He commended the ACCCs decision saying it was “a really good lesson”.

The Advertiser contacted Real Juice Company’s Tony Taliano who was unavailable.  

With SMH