Tamper with the Anzac biscuit recipe and cop a $50k fine
Bakeries and cafes that meddle with the traditional Anzac Day biscuit recipe could face a fine of more than $50,000.
Independent sellers could also be hit with a $10,000 fine if caught interfering with the traditional ingredients in the recipe.
Government regulations state that the traditional biscuit cannot be sold as an “Anzac Day biscuit” if additional ingredients such as chocolate chips have been added to it.
The warning comes as the Federal Government and The Returned and Services League try to prevent anyone abusing the Anzac Day celebrations for their own commercial gain. Before anyone can sell a product using the word “Anzac”, they must apply for a permit from Veterans' Affair.
Created around 100 years ago, the biscuits made with flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup and baking soda were sent out by wives and women's groups to soldiers during WWI because the ingredients didn't spoil easily while being shipped. The addition of desiccated coconut was added at a later date.
Sheridan Randall, 23rd April 2019
