Trading probe into 'Definitely Devon' claims
RODDA'S Dairy is to be investigated by Trading Standards officers after it admitted making "Definitely Devon" clotted cream in Cornwall.
Outraged shoppers complained that the product's packaging is misleading when they discovered the cream was not made in Devon.
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Not what it says on the ‘tin’: milk for Devon clotted cream is Cornish.
Rodda's Dairy moved production to its plant at Scorrier, near Camborne, after buying the brand from Robert Wiseman when it closed its factory in Okehampton earlier this year.
It was allowed to carry on using the name after telling Cornwall Council Trading Standards officers it was continuing to use Devon milk to make the cream. The only restriction imposed was a sticker on the package which said "made in Scorrier".
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Now a new investigation has been started by Devon's Trading Standards department after Rodda's admitted it was making the cream with milk sourced from west Cornwall. Boss Nicholas Rodda said the name of the product would be reviewed when the current stock of packaging runs out.
Enraged
The revelation has enraged shoppers in Devon, who claimed they have been misled.
One said: "It might as well be made in another country."
Another added: "They're pulling a fast one. It's appalling, Devonshire Cream should be made in Devon."
Rival producers are among those who have complained that the label was misleading.
Paul Winterton, whose Langage Farm makes genuine Devon cream, said it showed the need for new European rules to protect the name.
He said: "We want to avoid other counties trying to ride on the back of Devon's reputation for excellence.
"I can understand them wanting to use up their packaging, but this product is a travesty and what they are doing is quite wrong."
"Cornwall should be proud of what they have got and call it Cornish.
"They should review the situation and think about the rivalries between the two counties.
"The market for cream teas is £85 million and Devonshire is the dominant brand name. Rodda's know that and want a piece of the action."
"It is important to remember the farmers who are out there in all weathers with their dairy herds producing the milk. Their work needs to be rewarded."
Mr Rodda denied starting a so-called 'cream war' and said the company would review its policy when the current stock of packaging ran out and may relaunch the cream as a west country brand.
He said: "We don't have any intention of misleading the public.
"There may have been some misinformation about where the milk was coming from.
"It all comes from the Rodda group farms in west Cornwall. It is the only milk we use."
He added: "There is a very healthy rivalry between Cornwall and Devon."
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