FMCG Blog FMCG Views and News

Another month’s results from the ACCC’s Grocery Choice web site and Woowlorths is now the cheapest. So what does this mean?  The front page of the web site tells us the news;

• Woolworths cheapest on total grocery basket in 59 of 61 regions (up from 21 last month)
• Nationally, the price difference between Coles, Woolworths and Independents has narrowed
• ALDI cheapest on basic staple products

By the way this is what they do;(from the web site)

“Price information is obtained from an independent monthly survey of approximately 500 products from 600 supermarket outlets across Australia. The results of each monthly survey will be made available on the GROCERY choice website on the first business day of the following month.” Read More…

Posted under News, Retailers

When Coles, Woolworths and Franklins agree on something I get suspicious. As reported in the online version of FOODWEEK yesterday,

“Woolworths, Coles, and Franklins have joined the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) in a push to make nutrition labeling more transparent and meaningful for Australian consumers by adopting the Daily Intake Guide.”

The Daily Intake Guide is a set of front of packaging labels that give a percentage of daily nutrient and energy that a standard serve of that product will provide the average adults intake.

Who decides on the average serve? Is it realistic? Does anyone take any notice?

So why do they all agree? Australian Food News reported yesterday that a survey commissioned by groups including the Cancer Council and Choice in the Sydney and Newcastle areas, showed that only 64% of shoppers surveyed could recognise healthier foods using the Daily Intake Guide. The survey showed that

the “Traffic Light” labeling system was more effective with 81% of shoppers being able to identify healthier foods using these labels.

The Australian Food News article puts the AFGC’s side of the argument through its CEO Kate Carnell, who states;

“The fact that CHOICE’s survey results contradict a large portion of
the data produced by reputable international organisations leads us to
question their approach.”

Well Well, what is the story here. Lots of axes to grind, big corporates and high profile interest groups. I’m none the wiser but I am suspicious.

Any one know what is going on?

Tim

Posted under News