A popular fish item has been pulled from the shelves of Coles after a shopper raised the alarm on social media about claims on the packaging.
Coles has been forced to pull a seafood item from its shelves after a consumer flagged the authenticity of claims on packaging of a popular trout variety.
One shopper questioned whether whole rainbow trout produced by The Fishery was “wild caught”, which was stamped and highlighted on the packaging.
The Fishery is an independent supplier providing seafood products to Coles.
“I’m 99% sure this Australian rainbow trout isn’t “wild caught” but farmed @Coles, and you need to drag your supplier over very hot coals if the claim isn‘t true. Can I trust you when you sell me “free range”, ”pastured” and ”extra virgin” too? Please investigate and revert,” the shopper posted on Twitter.
“The trout fishery in Australia is a fairly marginal proposition, self-sustaining in only a few places and stocked elsewhere, paid for by recreational fishing licences.
“I believe there are no commercial licences for wild-caught trout, and all commercial trout come from farms.”
The user also tagged the consumer watchdog, the ACCC.
“Hi @acccgovau, I‘m not sure if “misleading or deceptive conduct” is the right term, but Coles sells rainbow trout labelled both ”wild caught” & Australian”. Illegal if true, miss-selling if false. They want me to lead the investigation, but I’m busy. Maybe you could take a look?”
Coles confirmed the supermarket had been in touch with The Fishery and removed the product from sale.
“Coles takes the quality of all products we sell seriously. We have followed up with the supplier and have temporarily removed the product from sale,” a supermarket spokesman said.
