Declaring a crackdown on claims by poultry producers of
"free range" eggs or birds (or similar expressions), the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
(ACCC) has accused a number of Australia's
main chicken suppliers of engaging in misleading and deceptive
conduct regarding the promotion and supply of their products. The
ACCC has indicated that it will continue to take action to ensure
that claims made about the ability of birds to move or roam are
accurate, and that all market participants adhere to relevant
laws.
Turi Foods, which supplies La lonica brand chickens, has been
ordered to pay a $100,000 fine ending a legal battle initiated by
the ACCC. In Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission v Turi Foods Pty Ltd (No
2) [2012] FCA 19, the ACCC alleged that Turi Foods
incorporated false and misleading claims into their advertising,
portraying that La lonica chickens were housed in an environment of
substantial space, allowing the animals to roam
