Australia's Coles Hit With $2.5 Million Fine Over 'Fresh' Bread

Supermarket giant Coles has been fined $2.5 million and ordered to pay costs after breaking Australian Consumer Law by falsely advertising bread products as "freshly baked" and "baked today".

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had pushed for penalties of up to $5 million. The penalty prompted ACCC boss Rod Sims to reiterate the competition watchdog's desire for penalties that "really get a deterrence message out." 

The penalty was handed down in the Federal Court on Friday, after a two-year battle with the ACCC sparked by complaints from former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett about a loaf of Coles bread made in Ireland.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sydney Morning Herald