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'That's un-Australian': Outrage over vegan Anzac cookie

A Sydney health food business said they had no idea they were doing something wrong when they released a line of unauthorised vegan ANZAC cookies.

When a photo of the “un-Australian” cookie emerged online, Reddit users were quick to point out that it may have been without gaining the correct legal permission.

Ella’s Wisdom Cauliflower Shortbread Cookie claims to be free of gluten, dairy, soy, egg and refined sugars, however it’s the use of the word ANZAC that caused some confusion on Reddit on Monday.



“Yeah they could find themselves in a bit of trouble over that,” one man wrote after an image of the cookie surfaced online.

"Cookie? That's un-Australian! It's called a biscuit round here," another wrote.

Under Australian law, the term Anzac can only be used after gaining permission from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs while misuse for commercial purposes is a punishable offence.

"There is a general exemption granted for Anzac biscuits, as long as these biscuits remain basically true to the original recipe and are both referred to and sold as Anzac biscuits and never as cookies," one Reddit user added.

A Sydney health food business said they had no idea their vegan ANZAC cookies may not have the correct permission. Source: Instagram
A Sydney health food business said they had no idea their vegan ANZAC cookies may not have the correct permission. Source: Instagram

The Sydney business said they “had no idea about the fact that was a protected term”.

“When we started selling our cookies at the markets people started referring to them as Anzac cookies, so that’s how we called them.

“We did not mean any disrespect to the country we love… they are already in plan to be discontinued from the month of November and be replaced.

“We sincerely apologise for any hurt feelings this might have caused.”





Their apology was well received, with many pointing out that their intentions “weren’t malicious.

“They aren't ignoring it, they were simply unaware. Respect,” one user commented.

To admit when you're wrong and accept it with maturity and grace is something the world needs so much more of,” another wrote.