Dried oregano gives a spicy Mediterranean flavour to tomato, pizza, beans and lamb.
It was therefore a matter of great concern when the Australian consumer watchdog, the ACCC, tested packages labelled Oregano, 100% Oregano and pure Oregano and found impurities, mainly olive leaf.
While oregano does grow around olive trees, to have 50% of the package consisting of olive leaves is more than just a coincidence! It was proof positive for the ACCC to pursue suppliers and retailers who marketed the oregano for misleading the public.
And so it was that the ACCC has punished the oregano suppliers and retailers for not taking precautions to ensure that the oregano they sold was unadulterated.
Some were reprimanded after taking action to remedy the misrepresentation, others provided court enforceable undertakings to test the products for 3 years, and Hoyt's Foods was fined $10,800. They were all 'named and shamed' by the ACCC in media releases.