hi all, so in my quest to learn more about the claims that retailers make on their foods, i emailed woolworths a while ago (like way back at the beg of september). i wanted to know who their ‘independent auditors’ are who allegedly ‘audit’ their free range products…

it seemed like they were avoiding me… but i finally got this response today. it’s very interesting:

Thank you for your email. Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in replying to you.

We have forwarded your query to our technical manager, who has informed me that we are restricted by company policy not to divulge the details of our Auditors. As the free range standards for poultry, meat and eggs is set and governed by the Department of Agriculture, you may talk to them about your requirements.  You may also contact the SAPA (SA poultry producers) on www.sapoultry.co.za.

If we can be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us as follows, call us on 0860 022 002, email custserv@woolworths.co.za or contact us online www.woolworths.co.za.

Yours sincerely

NAIELA GABIER
Customer Care Consultant

hmmm, curious. why wouldn’t woolworths want to tell me who their auditors are??? i know they wouldn’t mind telling you who audits their financial statements, so why do they feel the need to protect their free range auditors? i am going to email them and ask them. what are they trying to protect/hide?

in the meantime, i will go snooping around the Dept of Agric and SA Poultry Association to see what I can uncover.

Note that Woolworths chose to IGNORE my question as to whether they regard Fair Cape’s claim that their milk is free range as illegal — given that Woolworths told me in their last email that it is illegal in SA to claim milk is free range… (and remembering that Fair Cape is Woolworths’ largest dairy supplier!)

Will nudge them as to their opinion on that…