The egg industry could be rocked by another fresh free-range egg scandal.
Newsroom is reporting a West Auckland egg supplier has allegedly been labelling caged eggs as free-range. The Commerce Commission has confirmed to Newsroom it has launched an investigation.
West Auckland's Blackwater Trading company, which produces free-range eggs at its Gold Chick farm, is under investigation after a complaint from a former employee, Newsroom reports.
Caged eggs from a Waikato producer were allegedly bought up, repackaged then sold as 'Farmer Brown' free-range eggs.
It comes after a Newsroom enquiry last year found another egg producer, Palace Poultry, was supplementing its own eggs with millions of eggs purchased from a supplier selling caged eggs.
This led to Countdown supermarkets pulling the popular brand of eggs from its shelves. But the disturbing practice has allegedly continued.
Blackwater Trading's owner Xue (Frank) Chen has been charged by Police with perverting the course of justice after threatening his former employee, Newsroom reports.
Chen has allegedly denied the allegation, saying it was a disgruntled employee who was caught stealing eggs who complained.
Newshub.
