Woolworths responds to claims it 'spray paints' its fresh flowers: 'Not happy'
Woolworths has confirmed it uses floral paints and coloured dyes on some of its fresh flower bouquets.
The revelation follows a number of complaints from Woolworths customers who noticed their store-bought flower bouquets had been painted.
A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia that customers may find "bright coloured dye and floral paints" used on select ranges of fresh flower bouquets on occasion.
Woolworths defends painting flowers
"The use of bright coloured dye or floral paints is a trend that has developed over the years and a standard practice for the floral industry worldwide," said the spokesperson.
"While we recognise they are not everyone's cup of tea, they add some colour and difference to a range of bouquets," they said.
However, "dye and floral paints used on fresh flowers is not an attempt to hide any defects or imperfections".
The spokesperson assured customers that the dye used on their flowers is "non-toxic, non-irritating and is 100 per cent biodegradable".
Woolworths sources fresh cut flowers across Australia and overseas, because the supermarket knows that customers "love the convenience" of being able to pick up a bunch of flowers with their groceries on special occasions.
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'When did we start spray painting flowers?' ask customers
On Monday, one disgruntled shopper shared several photos of spray-painted blooms to the Woolworths Facebook page.
In the photos, the pink paint from the flowers had spilled onto the leaves and stems – much to the customer's dismay.
"Clearly I have been oblivious to this, but when did we start spray painting the flowers? Not happy Woolworths," wrote one shopper in a Facebook post.
Another customer shared a photo of a $20 Perfect Choice Bunch flower bouquet on Tuesday, which featured similar floral paint remnants on the stems and leaves.
@Woolworths so my Mother’s Day flowers have been spray painted to look nice - thanks for that
Your offer just gets better and better - RIP OFF pic.twitter.com/i9bxQcrRiI— missmega (@vollieollie9) May 8, 2022
"$20 for four sad painted blooms?!" asked the disappointed customer on the Woolworths Facebook page.
Meanwhile, a mum claimed her Mother's Day gift was ruined when she noticed the flowers she had been given were "spray painted".
"So my Mother's Day flowers have been spray painted to look nice - thanks for that. Your offer just gets better and better - RIP OFF," wrote the frustrated woman in a Tweet to the supermarket.
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