Latest news with #DisChem
News24
22-07-2025
- Business
- News24
Dis-Chem pulls CeraVe from shelves over copycat claims
Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images Dis-Chem has pulled Nutriwomen's Dermacare line from its shelves after a year-long dispute at the Advertising Regulatory Board over alleged copycat packaging. L'Oréal South Africa alleged that Dermacare copied the branding of its CeraVe skincare line, and the Advertising Regulatory Board found in its favour. Nutriwomen argues it isn't bound by the ARB's authority. Despite appeals, the ARB upheld its ruling. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. Dis-Chem has pulled Nutriwomen's Dermacare skincare line from its shelves after a year-long dispute over alleged copycat branding. The dispute began in May last year with L'Oréal South Africa alleging Dermacare copied the branding of its CeraVe skincare line, citing similarities in font, colour, design, and product information layout. In the original complaint to the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), L'Oreal argued that the Dermacare packaging intentionally exploited the advertising goodwill that the well-known French brand had grown in the South African market since its local introduction in 2022. The ARB had ruled in favour of L'Oréal South Africa, giving Nutriwomen three months to revise its Dermacare packaging. While Nutriwomen argued it wasn't subject to the ARB's jurisdiction as a non-member, it engaged in the proceedings and appealed the decision in October 2024. READ | L'Oreal SA claims rival copied its packaging — and watchdog agrees The ARB ordered Nutriwomen again to either amend its packaging design or remove the product line from retailers' shelves by 16 January 2025. It further instructed ARB members not to advertise Dermacare products until the designs had been amended. Photographic evidence submitted to the ARB in May appeared to show that Nutriwomen had not amended the packaging design. It also showed that Dis-Chem had continued to sell the products in their infringing packaging at its outlets and online platforms long after the January 2025 deadline. L'Oréal provided the Advertising Appeal Committee (AAC) with photos taken between April and May that show Dermacare products in Dis-Chem stores in Sandton City and Mall of Africa. 'Dis-Chem first received a notification from L'Oreal on this matter on 20 January 2025 and notified all stores nationally to remove the affected Dermacare products from shelves, with a similar directive given to its online store,' a spokesperson told News24, explaining that it had received a similar directive from the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association of South Africa (CTFA) in March. Dis-Chem is a member of the CTFA, which, in turn, is a member of the ARB. Dis-Chem said it had not received any other prior communication from the ARB or CTFA in this regard, and that it 'has always abided by industry body regulations and rulings'. Dis-Chem's online store still had some Dermacare products listed around noon on Monday. 'While the Dis-Chem website continued to show product visibility, this was an operational oversight that has subsequently been remedied,' Dis-Chem told News24 on Monday afternoon. Jurisdiction In its response to the most recent complaint, Nutriwomen argued that it was not bound by the ARB's rulings as it is not a member of the board, nor was it a member of the CTFA anymore. It had been bound by the previous rulings of the ARB by virtue of its indirect membership through its membership of the CTFA. The ARB took note that Nutriwomen did not renew its membership to the CTFA for 2025 after its unsuccessful argument that the matter does not fall within the purview of the ARB. CeraVe stated in its most recent submission that it considered Nutriwomen's arguments against the ARB's jurisdiction to be 'misleading and made in bad faith'. The Advertising Appeal Committee (AAC) confirmed that Nutriwomen was in breach of its obligations, rejecting its jurisdictional objection. The AAC also concluded that Dis-Chem, as an ARB member through the CTFA, was responsible for ensuring compliance with its directives. L'Oréal requested the following sanctions on Nutriwomen: immediate compliance with the ruling, pre-publication review of all future advertising, publication of a summary ruling at Nutriwomen's cost, and possible public listing as a defaulter. The ARB granted two of the four requests and ordered that Dermacare products be pulled from retailers and that Nutriwomen submit proposals for amended designs with the original advertisement and the ARB's previous ruling, together with the most recent ruling to the Association for Communication and Advertising's (ACA) Advisory Service for pre-publication advice at its own cost. It noted that while Nutriwomen can be held to previous rulings, the enforcement of the ARB's most recent ruling is complicated by it no longer being a member of CTFA.
The Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Peanut butter maker to pay R500k penalty for contaminated products
Peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay an administrative fine of R500,000 after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) received recall notifications in February 2024 from Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay due to elevated levels of aflatoxin found in certain peanut butter. NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba said the NCC found that the affected products had higher than legally acceptable levels of aflatoxin as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in foodstuffs. Ntaba said their investigation found that between May and November 2023, House of Natural Butters imported and supplied contaminated, decayed and impure groundnuts and byproducts to South African consumers through various retailers. In its ruling the National Consumer Tribunal noted that the manufacturer imported the products from Malawi and Zambia using trucks and trailers, via land borders and port entries. It said the trucks and trailers did not have the requisite certificates of acceptability required for the transportation of food. 'Laboratory tests results from various accredited food testing laboratories established that the products were contaminated, decayed and impure,' said Ntaba.
News24
10-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Peanut butter maker fined after Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem recall
Supplied/ Pick n Pay Peanut butter manufacturer House of Natural Butters has agreed to pay a R500 000 fine more than a year after its products were recalled from Pick n Pay and Dis-Chem stores. In February last year, Pick n Pay recalled some peanut butter brands that contained higher-than-allowed aflatoxins, toxins produced by fungi. Pick n Pay recalled its No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, as well as the Eden peanut butter brand. Dis-Chem also recalled its own Lifestyle peanut butter. Both retailers confirmed that the National Consumer Commission (NCC) found they were supplied by House of Natural Butters. When the NCC investigated the company, they found it had supplied contaminated and decayed impure peanuts, groundnuts and other products to several retailers between May and November 2023. 'The respondent imported the products from Malawi and Zambia using trucks and trailers, via land borders and port entries. The trucks and trailers did not have the requisite certificates of acceptability required for the transportation of food.' The NCC said that laboratory test revealed the products were 'contaminated, decayed and impure'. The company, which is trading as Eden All Butters, agreed to pay the fine, which was confirmed by the National Consumer Tribunal last week. Meanwhile, the NCC said that another peanut butter manufacturer implicated in the matter was also being investigated. Acting NCC commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu said in a statement: 'The NCC welcomes this consent order [from the tribunal] as it brings this matter against House of Natural Butters to a finality. It is incumbent upon suppliers of food products in the South African market to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and the Consumer Protection Act.'
News24
30-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Dis-Chem tumbles on news a property gain flattered its earnings jump
Shares of Dis-Chem felt pressure on Friday on news that a one-off gain boosted its performance in its 2025 year. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
Reuters
30-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South Africa's Dis-Chem Pharmacies posts annual profit jump, declares final dividend
JOHANNESBURG, May 30 (Reuters) - South African pharmacy chain Dis-Chem Pharmacies (DCPJ.J), opens new tab reported a 20% increase in full-year earnings on Friday, and also declared a final dividend of 27.85 cents. The group's headline earnings per share, a key profit measure in South Africa, increased to 137.5 cents for the year ended February 28, up from 114.6 cents a year earlier, supported by an 18.3% growth in operating profit. "The biggest contributor to earnings growth during this period was effective cost management, particularly payroll cost," Dis-Chem said in a statement. Group revenue increased 8% to 39.2 billion rand ($2.20 billion), with retail revenue rising nearly 6% to 33.6 billion rand and comparable pharmacy store revenue growing 4.2%. Wholesale revenue grew 9.9%, while wholesale sales to external customers — including The Local Choice franchises and independent clients — jumped 22.1%, driven by new customer acquisitions and stronger support from the existing base, the group said. ($1 = 17.8397 rand)
