I generally try to buy Australian (or NZ or European) canned or frozen vegetables because I'm assuming they are grown in less polluted conditions and hence are more healthy.
Also the quality is usually better. An example is creamed corn. The Coles brand creamed corn is cheaper but made in Thailand. Compare this with the Edgell creamed corn made in Australia, but much more expensive; the quality of the Edgell creamed corn appears to be much better according to the Mrs. Obviously, being an OzBargainer, I wait until the Aussie ones are on sale and stock up (such as recently for the Edgell).
What's your experience with this? Also, do you work in the industry and can you shed any insights into the validity of my assumptions.
I've started buying Woolworths branded frozen vegetables as they are a straight 'Product of Australia'.
Canned is quite difficult to judge I have found, often they list Local and imported ingredients. Could be simply imported salt used but it is never specified.
There was also that story of McCain using Chinese vegetables imported to New Zealand then sold into Australia labelled as Product of New Zealand, although they seem to have rebuffed that story.
http://ausfoodnews.com.au/2011/09/23/new-zealand-rebuts-free…
http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/duped-by-confusing-food…