The Canarian company Hijos de Moisés Rodríguez González, S.A. (Rodrigonsa) has strongly defended the Irish origin of its La Irlandesa butter, following allegations of misleading advertising made by Facua-Consumers in Action.
The consumer rights organisation had accused the company of falsely marketing the product as Irish, despite claims that it is produced in Spain.
In response to the controversy, Rodrigonsa issued a statement asserting that its butter "does indeed come from Ireland and originates in Ireland, as it always has". The company cited technical data sheets from suppliers, product traceability documentation, and import declarations (DUAs) filed with relevant public authorities as evidence of the product's authenticity.
Rodrigonsa Demands Retraction
Rodrigonsa has expressed its intent to take legal action, including in areas of unfair competition, defamation, and potential criminal offences, against those it considers to have spread false claims. The company has formally requested a correction from media outlets that have reported on the allegations and has also demanded that Facua retract its statements.
To support its claims, Rodrigonsa has sent a burofax to various news organisations, including a document purportedly confirming the Irish origin of its butter. The document, which has been made public, contains references to Ireland and descriptions such as "butter and other milk fat products".
Facua Maintains Allegations
Despite Rodrigonsa's statements, Facua continues to publish its original complaint on its website. The organisation argues that Rodrigonsa has promoted certain products under the La Irlandesa brand with references to an Irish origin, including labels stating "Pura de Irlanda" (Pure from Ireland) and "Original Irish Butter" in English.
Facua claims that some of Rodrigonsa’s other La Irlandesa products clarify their actual origin. For instance, the company markets milk, ricotta, and salami under the same brand but explicitly states their origins as the EU, Germany, and Denmark, respectively. However, Rodrigonsa continues to market flavoured butters under the La Irlandesa name, including varieties with chimichurri, mojo rojo canario, and Lanzarote sea salt, all labelled as "Pura de Irlanda".
The dispute remains ongoing, with Rodrigonsa standing by its claims and Facua maintaining that its complaint is justified by misleading marketing practices.
