IGA label flouts law by referring to iconic Anzac biscuits as cookies

One word on the label of an iconic Australian baked good sold at a grocery store could be an illegal act.

The eight-pack of Anzac biscuits, found at a Reddit user’s local IGA store, incorrectly labels the iconic food item as cookies instead of biscuits.

According to government guidelines, Anzac biscuits “must not substantially deviate from the generally accepted recipe and shape, and must be referred to as Anzac Biscuits or Anzac Slice, not Anzac Cookies”.

If recipes substitute ingredients for dietary requirements, this is not considered a deviation.

Misuse of these guidelines can incur financial penalties or up to 12 months imprisonment, under the Protection of Word ‘Anzac’ Act 1920.

The government’s traditional recipe features oats, desiccated coconut, brown sugar, plain flour, butter or margarine, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and hot water.

However, it notes the biscuit’s heritage of more than 100 years means there are many variations and may include ingredients like cinnamon, mixed spice, jam and eggs.

“Anzac f****** WHAT NOW?????,” one social media user said.

Multiple users simply said: “Straight to jail.”

Commenters also pointed out that the product’s guarantee that it’s made in Australia from at least 10 per cent local ingredients may be seen as lacklustre, though not illegal.

“Made with less than 10 per cent Australian ingredients?,” one person asked. “Nah.”

“What should be illegal is Anzac biscuits only containing 10 per cent of Australian ingredients,” another person agreed.

However, other social media users said it was a “stupid thing to even notice (let alone) get upset over”.

“Because that’s the most important thing we as a nation have to worry about,” another person said.

IGA has been contacted for comment.