Australian supermarket chain Woolworths falsely accused of ...

24 Apr 2024

AFP Factcheck

Australian supermarket chain Woolworths falsely accused of

Australian supermarket chain Woolworths was still selling Anzac biscuits -- which raise money for veterans -- as of late April 2024, contradicting claims shared on social media that the retailer had ditched them. The false claim surfaced after Australia's

Australian supermarket chain Woolworths was still selling Anzac biscuits -- which raise money for veterans -- as of late April 2024, contradicting claims shared on social media that the retailer had ditched them. The false claim surfaced after Australia's Returned Services League, a veterans' organisation, announced Woolworths would not be stocking its limited-edition Anzac biscuit tins. The tins are sold annually ahead of Anzac Day on April 25, which honours Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

"So Woolworths aren't selling ANZAC BISCUITS this year," read part of a Facebook post published on April 3, 2024.

The biscuits -- originally savoury and rock-like -- fed the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) as they battled Ottoman forces at Gallipoli during World War I (archived link).

A screenshot of the false Facebook post, captured on April 23, 2024

Similar claims were shared elsewhere in Facebook posts here, here and here.

One of the posts read, "Heard that Woolworths won't sell Anzac biscuits this year so much for supporting our service people".

The claim emerged after Australia's Returned Services League (RSL) -- a body that supports ex-servicemen -- said the supermarket chain would not stock its limited-edition Anzac biscuit tins, which it has typically released annually ahead of Anzac Day as part of its fundraising drive.

"Please note that Woolworths will not be stocking the limited edition tins this year but they will be selling Anzac Appeal badges and supporting veterans and the RSL in this way," the body said in a March 13 statement (archived link).

The announcement sparked criticism from far-right senator Pauline Hanson, who condemned the move in a post on social media platform X on April 3 (archived link).

"I haven't shopped at Woolworths ever since they announced they wouldn't be supporting Australia Day," she wrote. "Now that I have learned Woolworths has also refused to stock the RSL's special Anzac biscuit tins, It reinforces my original decision."

Conservative media commentators also slammed the supermarket's decision, with Sky News Australia's Rowan Dean saying, "Stop shopping at Woolworths until they stop being political" (archived link).

Amid the backlash, Woolworths released a statement on April 3 to clarify it was still supporting the RSL's Anzac Appeal by selling its other merchandise and that it had raised A$13 million ($8.4 million) over the past decade (archived link).

"As the only supermarket supporting the Appeal, Woolworths customers in-store nationwide will be able to purchase badges and wristbands from this week, with all funds from sales going to the RSL," the retailer said.

"All year-round, customers can also purchase the much-loved Bakers Finest ANZAC biscuits endorsed by the RSL in Woolworths stores, which also generates revenue for the RSL."

AFP visited several Woolworths stores across Sydney and found both the RSL's official Anzac biscuits and memorabilia available.