FoodLegal Bulletin, September 2008 >>

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘the ACCC’) has the power to obtain court-enforceable Undertakings from companies that it alleges to have breached the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth). This article explores the patterns and framework for recent Undertakings sought and obtained by the ACCC from food companies.

On 5 August 2008, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘the ACCC’) publicly released its long-awaited and contentious ‘Report of ACCC inquiry into the competitiveness of retail prices for standard groceries’ (‘the ACCC Report’). The Federal government also released its preliminary action plan in response to the ACCC report. This article examines one key recommendation of the report, about the introduction of “unit pricing” of products in supermarkets.

Vending machines provide a direct marketing route to consumers. This article explores the legal risks and liabilities in relation to food vending machines around Australia.

Food companies using the term ‘yoghurt’ need to be aware that there are legal requirements as to what can actually be marketed as yoghurt.

This article provides some guidance for food businesses about likely changes that will come in over the next 2 years in Victoria. This article is based on draft proposals that have been recommended by the Victorian Department of Human Services’ Food Unit (Victoria’s food regulatory overseeing body) in response to a report on food regulation reform made by the Victorian government’s Treasury watchdog and policy-driver, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission.

More of the latest food law developments including:

• Controversial appeal for product liability against food producer Unilever
• ACCC legal action against Dairy Farmers ends in court consent orders
• A spate of consumer level food recalls announced by FSANZ
• ACCC rejects common insurance industry definition of ‘flood’
• Municipal governments seek to ban GM crops