Netto Marken-Discount fined over yogurt environmental claims

Netto Marken-Discount has been ordered to pay a fee of 280.78 euros following a legal challenge by Deutsche Umwelthilfe regarding misleading environmental claims on its fruit yogurt packaging.

The dispute centered on the slogan “good feed from environmentally friendly cultivation” used on the “Gutes Land” cherry yogurt. The court ruled that such phrasing could lead consumers to assume much stricter environmental standards—such as specific regulations on seeds, fertilizers, or pesticides—than what was actually provided.

While the packaging included a link for further information, judges noted that consumers are not expected to access websites to verify claims before purchase. Additionally, the court found the term “predominantly” to be ambiguous and noted that claims regarding the absence of genetically modified feed were largely redundant, as such practices are already standard under German law.