Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand
July 20 2009

Yan fruit "juice" products voluntarily recalled

Monday, 20 July 2009, 12:56 pm
Press Release: Commerce Commission

A distributor of a range of imported products marketed as fruit juice
has agreed to recall all their products after tests as part of a
Commerce Commission investigation found that at least two of the
products had inaccurate labels.

Armenian Imports Limited trading as Super Juice distributes four juice
products imported from Armenia under the brand name Yan. As part of
the Commission’s investigation tests were carried out on beverages
described as 100 per cent blackcurrant juice, 100 per cent peach juice
and 100 per cent pomegranate juice. All three beverages had labels
claiming that they contained:

Testing at an independent laboratory showed that the products which
claimed to be 100 per cent blackcurrant juice and 100 per cent peach
juice contained little or no traces of fruit of any kind, let alone
the fruit that was claimed on the labels. Testing for the product
claimed to be 100 per cent pomegranate juice indicated that although
it may contain some pomegranate juice, it is unlikely that it is 100
per cent pure pomegranate juice. Another Yan product described as 100
per cent apricot juice has not been tested.

Additionally, the test report questioned whether the vitamin C claims
on the labels were correct as they do not align with the typical
vitamin C levels found in blackcurrants, peaches or pomegranates.

"The testing shows clearly that the information on the labels relating
to these products is incorrect. The distributor has agreed to recall
all of their products until further testing has been undertaken to
ascertain the exact nature of the products they have imported," said
Adrian Sparrow, Commerce Commission Director of Fair Trading.

"As the exact nature of the products is unknown there is not only
potential contravention of the Fair Trading Act but risk to
consumers. Although at this stage of the Commission’s investigation,
there is no evidence to suggest that these products are unsafe, given
the uncertainty as to the products’ ingredients, the Commission
advises consumers to exercise caution if they have known allergies,"
said Mr Sparrow.

"Accurate labelling on food and drink products is vital so that not
only can consumers make informed purchasing decisions based on
accurate information but so they can make choices about the
ingredients they consume, especially in regards to ingredients to
which they may have some sensitivity," said Mr Sparrow. "In this case
both stockists and consumers may have been misled by inaccurate
descriptions on the labels."

The distributor has agreed to contact all retail outlets stocking
their products requesting an immediate recall.

If affected consumers wish to seek a refund, they should do so from
their purchasing retailer providing either proof of purchase or
packaging. Products imported by Armenian Imports were stocked at
around 30 stores and supermarkets nationwide.

The Commission’s investigation will continue and there will be no
further comment at this time about possible action at the conclusion
of the investigation. The New Zealand distributor has been cooperating
with the Commission’s investigation.

Background

The Fair Trading Act. Court penalties for breaching the Fair Trading
Act can include fines of up to $200,000 for a company and $60,000 for
an individual. Only the courts can decide if a representation has
breached the Act.