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Businesses Could Cop A $50,000 Fine If They Add Chocolate Chips To Anzac Biscuits

Businesses Could Cop A $50,000 Fine If They Add Chocolate Chips To Anzac Biscuits

Individuals can also incur a $10,000 fine if they break the rules as well.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Anzac Day is a sacred part of Australian culture, with the nation coming together for parades, Dawn Services and Two-Up.

But one of the most sacred parts of the day revolves around Anzac Biscuits.

People and businesses wanting to sell the delicious treat are being warning they could cop a seriously hefty fine if they're making them with ingredients outside the old recipe.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says businesses will be fined a little more than $50,000 and individual sellers will incur a $10,000 fine if they break the rules.

pfctdayelise/Creative Commons

The DVA's website reads: "There are clear regulations around the use of the word 'Anzac' under the Protection of Word 'Anzac' Act 1920 (the Act) and penalties apply for the incorrect use of the term. Permission from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs is generally required to use the word 'Anzac' in a commercial context.

"'No person may use the word 'Anzac', or any word resembling it, in connection with any trade, business, calling or profession or in connection with any entertainment or any lottery or art union or as the name or part of a name of any private residence, boat, vehicle of charitable or other institution, or other institution, or any building without the authority of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs."

The recipe is pretty simple: coconut, rolled oats, flour, sugar and golden syrup. People aren't allowed to add eggs, chocolate chips or anything else to spruce up the old favourite.

You're not even allowed to change the word when you're selling the biscuits. They can't be called cookies or biccies or any other variety because that's the rules.

Two years ago, celebrated ice creamery Gelato Messina was forced to change it's product when it started selling 'Anzac Bikkie' ice cream.

In 2008, Subway created Anzac Biscuits with US-made cookie dough and received a swift response from the DVA.

A spokesperson said: "While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases, in recent times there has been no need to issue penalties," said the Veterans' Affairs spokesperson.

"When a potential misuse of the term is identified, DVA works with the business or organisation to attempt to find alternative wording which does not breach the regulations. In most cases organisations are willing to work with DVA to protect the integrity and significance of the term."

They asked Subway to see if there was a way to do the original recipe but after failing to find a cost-effective way, the foot-long business ended up scrapping it.

Featured Image Credit: pfctdayelise/Creative Commons

Topics: Food, Community, Australia