Australian grocery retailer Woolworths Ltd has been taken to court by food supplier Organic Marketing Australia over a phrase used in its marketing campaign.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported today (23 March) that it has been taken to court over its use of the phrase “honest to goodness” by Organic Marketing Australia, who has traded under the Honest to Goodness brand since 2003.

According to the report, Woolworths stands to lose A$3m (US$4.9m) if it is forced to halt the campaign, which features celebrity chef Margaret Fulton.

Organic Marketing Australia, which supplies health food and independent stores is seeking an injunction against the country’s largest retailer to prevent it from using the phrase, before a full hearing of the case.

The organic specialist told the Australian Federal Court yesterday that its reputation is being damaged by the association with Woolworths. It wants Woolworths to stop using the phrase “honest to goodness” in its marketing and advertising. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, yesterday, it said it no longer demanded that Woolworths hand over all of its marketing materials for destruction, including store displays featuring Fulton and recipes.

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