A Reddit user called out supermarket chain Aldi last week for packaging Coles women’s anti-perspirant as its Power Force shoe deodoriser spray.
Reddit user Cl3ft posted a photo of an opened packet of Power Force shoe deodoriser spray next to a bottle of Coles’ women’s anti-perspirant, attracting about 32,500 votes and 2,000 comments.
Social media users then used Facebook pages to complain.
Amore Galliers wrote on Aldi Australia's page: “Aldi why is your shoe deodorizing spray a Coles womans [sic] deodorant.
“My label peeled off and was not happy.”
ALDI Australia responded this week, saying it was liaising with its supplier following customer reports of a packaging fault with its Power Force shoe deodoriser 100 gram special buys, which have been on sale from January 11.
“We have withdrawn the product from sale and are investigating the error, however we can confirm the product is a shoe deodoriser and the content is true to the ALDI packaging.
"You can continue to use the product for its stated purpose, or you are welcome to return it to your local ALDI for a full refund.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Australian consumer advocacy group Choice told SBS that Aldi may have breached the country's consumer law.
Aldi confuses products. Source: Facebook
"The Australian Consumer Law prohibits businesses from engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct," a spokesperson said.
"Selling a product with its original label hidden certainly has the potential to mislead consumers, and could breach the law.
The spokesperson advised that consumer guarantees give people the right to a refund if they bought a product that wasn't "acceptable quality".
"If the contents of the 'shoe deodoriser' aren't actually fit for their advertised purpose, then consumers can return the product to ALDI and request a refund."
