Woolworths reveals why they changed the name of its Anzac biscuits to ‘golden oats’ this year after outraged customers accused it of ‘cancel culture’
- Social media storm erupts over Woolworths changing name of ANZAC biscuits
- The beloved wartime snack of diggers was renamed to ‘golden oat biscuits’
- The supermarket said the name change had nothing to do with ‘cancel culture’
- Woolworths were simply following strict Department of Veterans Affairs rules
Woolworths has explained why it changed the name of its Anzac biscuits to ‘golden oat biscuits’ after a furious customer backlash.
Customers claimed online the supermarket giant abandoned the traditional name because some shoppers might have found it offensive.
But Woolworths said the name change was at the request of the Veterans Affairs Department and had nothing to do with ‘cancel culture’.
Woolworths have hit back at online trolls who criticised the supermarket giant for changing the name of Anzac biscuits to ‘Golden Oat’ biscuits
Woolworths said the name change was made in accordance with the wishes of the Department of Veteran Affairs and had nothing to do with ‘cancel culture’
‘We didn’t have the relevant approvals to use the term for this particular recipe placement in the catalogue and wanted to ensure we respected the regulations,’ Woolworths said in a statement.
‘But we proudly stocked RSL Anzac biscuits, which help raise funds for veterans and their families, and have been through the required approval process.’
Under the rules, retailers need express permission to label a product with the world Anzac.
‘The use of the word “Anzac” in the commercial production and sale of Anzac biscuits is usually approved,’ the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website explained.
‘However, the 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’).
Australian soldiers enjoy tea and biscuits in December 1915 shortly after the first world war had begun
‘Where a recipe or the finished product substantially deviate from the generally accepted form (e.g. include ingredients such as chocolate or fruit), the manufacturer should consider renaming them so that the word “Anzac” is not used.’
In the case of Woolworths ‘golden oats biscuits’ the recipe slightly varied from the traditional version, so they were not granted permission to use the word.
‘I live to see all the people blaming the “woke cancel culture snowflakes” in the comments when in reality it is Veteran’s Affairs preventing them from using the word due to the recipe,’ one social media user retorted.
Another said the online controversy was ‘another example of someone with too much time on their hands and trying to cause drama’.
‘We proudly stocked RSL Anzac biscuits, which help raise funds for veterans and their families, and have been through the required approval process,’ Woolworths said.
