The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is threatening serious consequences for any businesses foolhardy enough to tamper with the traditional ANZAC biscuit recipe.
Offenders could be hit with fines of up to $51,000 (or $10,200 for individuals) under the Crimes Act 1914, for changing the recipe and selling the product as Australia’s most famous biscuit.
Among the ‘crimes’ being cracked down on by the Department, the biscuits cannot be referred to as ‘cookies’ or any other name but ‘biscuit’ because it evokes “non-Australians overtones” (whatever that means).
And they mean it, too – in 2017, gelato chain Messina was forced to change the name of its ANZAC Day special flavour from ‘ANZAC Bikkie’ (pictured) to ‘ANZAC Biscuit’ because the Department said it was misusing the term.
The famed biscuits (named after Australian and New Zealand troops who served in WW1) are traditionally a delicious combination of rolled oats, flour, golden syrup and sugar.
So, if you’re making a batch – be careful what you’re calling them!
