WELLINGTON - A New Zealand dairy manufacturer has been busted for falsely claiming its products are "100% pure New Zealand" despite importing the butter from India. AFP reported.
Dairy company Milkio Foods Limited was sued by the New Zealand Trade Commission for misrepresenting the origin of its butter products and fined US$261,452 (Singapore $340,400) on August 26.
The Hamilton-based company misled customers about the origin of its ghee products with "claims such as '100% pure New Zealand' despite importing the main ingredient from India," the Trade Commission said in a statement.
New Zealand's agricultural industry prides itself on exporting high-quality dairy products and has overseas customers who want milk and butter from the country's fertile pastures.
"Milkio is using this reputation to promote its products," Trade Commission spokeswoman Vanessa Horne said.
The company also submitted false and incomplete information to obtain permission to use the FernMark logo, a trusted symbol used to identify New Zealand products.
Milkio pleaded guilty to 15 counts of breaching New Zealand's Fair Trading Act by making false representations and admitted using the FernMark logo and license number without proper authorization.
"This conviction should serve as a warning to others who seek to unfairly claim New Zealand trademarks," Ms Horne added.
