Down Under: What means «Made in Australia»?

Spring Hill / AU. (div) Supermarket giant Woolworths says a lack of specialist baking equipment in Australia has forced it to import partly-baked bread from the United States. The 800-store chain said to Australian newspapers it was forced to use imports because no local food manufacturer could supply it. The frozen, partially-cooked range that is branded «artisan» travels more than 13’000 kilometres before being finished off in-store. The bread doesn´t have to have a country of origin on the label as the last part of the baking process is completed on site. It is labelled «Made in Australia» from local and imported ingredients. «Wherever possible we source ingredients from Australia», a Woolworths spokesman said to local media. The loaves were stocked at about 500 Woolworths and Safeway stores throughout the country and are imported by Goodman Fielder, who also produce Helga´s, Vogel and Wonder White brands. National Baking Industry Association (NBIA) spokesman James Dillon said frozen products were used to cut labour costs and increase the variety of product available.