Recently, the ACCC issued three infringement notices alleging that Victorian table grape traders Grape Co made false or misleading representations about grape origins 
and failed to comply with the Horticulture Code of Conduct. Now, Grape Co Australia Pty Ltd and Grape Co Farms Pty Ltd (together Grape Co) have paid penalties totalling $34,920.
On its website, Grape Co Australia published a claim that ‘Every single one of our grapes is personally hand-selected from the finest fruit on our family’s estate in Sunraysia Australia’, which the ACCC considered represented that all grapes are grown on the Grape Co Australia family estate. However, in fact some Grape Co Australia branded grapes are grown on third party growers’ properties.
That is why the ACCC issued one infringement notice to Grape Co Australia for allegedly making false and misleading representations on its website in relation to the origin of the grapes sold, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.
According to accc.gov.au, Grape Co Australia has since amended its website to reflect the true origins of grapes marketed to consumers. Separately, Grape Co Farms paid $21,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for alleged contraventions of the Horticulture Code.