A new Melbourne-based ‘Tasmanian’ drinks company has upset Premier Rockliff and local Tassie manufacturers, with the mainland company adamant they are not out to “deceive anyone”.
New mainland drinks brand Sodasmith are marketing themselves as Tasmanian, selling their Melbourne made ‘Tasmanian’ Tonic Water’ at Coles and bottle stores across the country.
Premier Jermey Rockliff is set to write to Sodasmith owner Shaun Rankins, saying that “on face value, this does not pass the pub test.”
“While it’s no surprise that mainland businesses would want to leverage off our world-class produce and reputation, Tasmania’s brand should only be used on products made, grown, farmed or created here in Tasmania.”
A Sodasmith representative told Pulse their carbon footprint is the reason the ‘Tassie’ drinks aren’t manufactured in Tassie, saying this decision saves sending tins, cartons and wraps, which are manufactured on the mainland, backwards and forwards.
“After much deliberation we decided it was a better option to get the [spring water from Northern Tasmania] shipped in flexi containers and package the final product in Victoria.”
