Woolies in clear over Jamie Oliver campaign

THE competition regulator has cleared Woolworths of any wrongdoing over its fresh food campaign featuring Jamie Oliver.

THE competition regulator has cleared Woolworths of any wrongdoing over its fresh food campaign featuring high-profile British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver after complaints from vegetable farmers alleging they were being forced to partly fund the campaign.

In a speech to be delivered by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims today at the Australian Farm Institute Conference, the regulator will say that after a full investigation — including contacting 200 suppliers that were approached by Woolworths to take part in the campaign — there was no evidence suppliers were unfairly pressured.

“The ACCC is able to reconsider if other supplier experiences come to light, but the initial allegations have not been supported by our inquiries to date.’’

In mid-June, industry peak group AusVeg complained that some farmers were being charged a new fee of 40c a crate to fund Woolworths’ “Jamie’s Garden” promotion which was designed to pump up the volume of fruit and vegetable sales.

At the time it was claimed payments were being forced on suppliers by Woolworths.

The supermarket giant always denied the allegations, saying the promotion was always voluntary.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Sims will say the ACCC was in the midst of 10 unconscionable conduct cases with six cases before the courts. Two of those cases are against rival Coles supermarkets.

Mr Sims will say that not all complaints led to action, citing the AusVeg allegations against Woolworths as an example.

It was important to close the public record where an investigation has been referred to in the public domain but not ultimately taken further for reasons of evidence, he will say.