Woolworths organic food scam

Shane Dowling

6 years ago

Woolworths are running a huge scam selling fake organic food under their Macro brand. I have previously written about Woolworths involvement in selling fake organic honey but the current investigation shows it goes way past that, including, but not limited to, fake organic food such as Apple Cider Vinegar, Virgin Coconut Oil, Tri Colour Quinoa (high protein edible seeds) and Cacao Nibs (pure form of chocolate).

I filmed the below video at Woolworths over the last 2 days (22 and 23 June). It’s titled “Woolworths Organic Food Scam”.

The organic food scam being run by Woolworths is not uncommon and is in fact a global problem as the recent Netflix series “Rotten” pointed out:

“Local farming is fading as profit margins decide what food makes it to our plates. The new Netflix documentary series Rotten exposes the fraud, corruption, and the consequences on our health of today’s global food industry. Nobody’s hands are clean.“ (Click here to watch the trailer)

Below is a picture of Woolworths Macro Honey and you will see in the bottom right hand corner the Australian Certified Organic Cert No. 472. In my last article on this topic I pointed out that both Allowrie Honey, which is owned by Capilano Honey, and Aldi Honey have the same certification number, 472, which shows Capilano produce it for Aldi as well.

We now know that all 3 have the Cert. No. 472 so all 3 are made by Capilano Honey which they mainly use imported Chinese honey to produce Allowrie, Aldi’s honey and Woolworths Macro honey.

I wrote the below email to Woolworths asking them questions about the testing and quality of the Macro brand foods and they have so far refused to reply. While Woolworths refusal to answer the questions is very disturbing it is consistent with Capilano Honey and Australian Certified Organic also refusing to answer similar types of questions in the March 2017 article on the same topic titled “Woolworths, Coles and Aldi running a scam selling imported food as organic” which focused on honey.

From: SHANE DOWLING
Sent: 21 June 2018 14:03
To: media@woolworths.com.au
Subject: Media questions – Woolworths brand Macro – Organic Food

Dear Sir/Madam

I have some questions in relation to an article I am writing:

The Woolworths brand Macro honey says on the bottle it is 100% organic and has an Australian Certified Organic stamp and certificate no 472 on it. It also says on the bottle that is packed in Australia from local and imported products.

Can you please advise what percentage is Australian Honey and what percentage is overseas honey?
Can you please advise what country / countries the imported honey comes from?
Can you please supply the evidence that the honey is organic?
How do you know the imported honey is organic?
Is the honey tested for pesticides and/or herbicides?
Does Capilano Honey produce the Macro brand honey for Woolworths?

Are Woolworths aware that Capilano Honey are currently suing beekeeper Simon Mulvany and myself, Shane Dowling, for injurious falsehood regarding the quality of Capilano’s brands such as Allowrie honey?

If Woolworths are aware of the lawsuits are Woolworths aware that Capilano Honey have failed for over 2 years to file and serve in court relevant documents proving their honey is safe even though they have a legal obligation to do so to prove their claim?
Are Woolworths aware that Capilano’s number one shareholder Kerry Stokes has on the Channel Seven Today Tonight website, of which he is also the number one shareholder, broadcasts that say Capilano Honey sell polluted and poisonous honey?

Woolworths also sell under the Macro brand Organic Virgin Coconut Oil which has an Australian Certified Organic stamp and certificate no 10908 on it and says on the bottle it is a product of Sri Lanka.

What evidence does Woolworths have that the Virgin Coconut Oil is organic?
Is the Virgin Coconut Oil tested for pesticides and/or herbicides?

What evidence does Woolworths have that the Virgin Coconut Oil is organic?
Is the Virgin Coconut Oil tested for pesticides and/or herbicides?

Woolworths also sell under the Macro brand Organic Tri Colour Quinoa (high protein seeds) which has an Australian Certified Organic stamp and certificate no 476 on it and says on the bottle it is grown in Bolivia and packed in Australia.

What evidence does Woolworths have that the Tri Colour Quinoa is organic?
Is the Tri Colour Quinoa tested for pesticides and/or herbicides?

Can you please respond by 5pm Friday the 22^nd of June 2018.

Regards

Shane Dowling

I am still waiting on a reply from Woolworths and will update this article if I get one soon.

I have only scratched the surface and need to do a full investigation into Woolworths but I know Capilano Honey are very concerned regarding any criticism of Woolworths stocking their fake organic Allowrie Honey. So it goes without saying that they will be very concerned that it is now exposed that Capilano Honey are also producing Woolworths fake Macro organic honey. I will do a follow-up article on Woolworths soon.

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