Michel's Patisserie owner admits to selling food with expired use-by dates
The parent company of food brands like Michel's Patisserie has acknowledged extending use-by dates on food products and says it is withdrawing them from sale by franchisees.
Retail Food Group (RFG) says its brands, which include Michel's Patisserie, asked less than one per cent of its 1000 suppliers to request shelf life extension "where appropriate and safe to do so".
"RFG follows strict standards with regard to food quality and any product date extension was granted following written approval from the supplier and with consumer safety top of mind," Retail Food Group said on Monday.
The company, which has been beset by controversy over the past two years, said it was voluntarily withdrawing the products.
Its statement to the ASX followed weekend newspaper reports that bakery chain Michel's Patisserie deliberately sold batches of chocolate cakes, birthday cakes and edible decorations between two and six months after their use-by date.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald reported that RFG told franchisees to ignore expiry dates on packaging.
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"RFG has not been contacted by regulators regarding any concerns with our food safety standards and if it were then it would fully co-operate in the best interests of consumers," RFG said.
Last month a Brisbane Muffin Break manager admitted to taking expired ham out of a rubbish bin, after workers claim she warned them against wasting expensive food items.
Retail Food Group share price plummets
RFG's share price collapsed over the past two years after it was accused of badly mistreating franchisees, and a parliamentary inquiry this year said management had been either "unethical" or "incompetent".
The inquiry into franchising's final report said Retail Food Group had damaged the reputation of franchising in Australia and should be investigated by the competition regulator, the corporate regulator and the Australian Taxation Office.
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