Imported pork 'hiding in plain sight' on Guzman y Gomez menu

Mexican fast-food chain Guzman Y Gomez (GYG) is under fire for advertising the use of Australian produce while importing hundreds of tonnes of Danish pork each year.

The company has confirmed it sources pork from Australia and Denmark for its burritos, tacos and other products.

Rob Farmer from Australian Pork Limited (APL) said the fast food chain's practices were a "very good example" of "imported meat hiding in plain sight".

"They're serving imported pork in a pulled pork burrito and the customers have no idea.

"It's not currently a requirement to call it out on the menu," Mr Farmer said.

Labelling reform push

APL is pushing for labelling laws similar to those that now apply to Australian seafood, requiring food chains and restaurants to declare where their product is from.

"It's just extremely inconsistent out there at the moment," Mr Farmer said.

"You go into a McDonald's and you've got Aussie beef on the packaging of a Big Mac and you go to a different chain and you don't get anything."

GYG has defended its decision to use imported pork, saying it depends on "seasonal quality, availability and pricing".

"At GYG, we're a proud supporter of Australian farmers, sourcing hundreds of tonnes of fresh, high quality produce every week," a spokesperson said.

"We prioritise Australian fresh produce and Australian-manufactured goods, from our chicken and beef to the avocados, and the tomatoes."

The company said it was also focused on providing customers "fresh, clean food without compromising on price".

Seasonality claim doesn't wash with farmers

Northern Victorian pig producer Tim Kingma is disappointed GYG uses imported pork.

"Australian pork producers have some of the strongest rules around animal welfare, around our labour and around our environment," Mr Kingma said.

"And we think we produce a great quality product."

Mr Kingma has questioned GYG's statement about fresh, quality produce, saying it "can't be fresher than buying local".

He says he is confused by the company's comments about seasonal availability.

"That reasoning doesn't wash at all," Mr Kingma said.

"There's definitely not 'seasonal' for the pig industry. My production is weekly like the rest of the Australian pig industry."

Pork imports worth $1b

Australia allows the importation of pig meat under strict biosecurity conditions to protect local herds from the transmission of exotic diseases.

In 2025, Australia imported 167 thousand tonnes of pork and pig meat products worth just over $1 billion.

Pig farmers estimate that over 40 per cent of pork consumed in Australia comes from overseas.

It's used in food service, restaurants, fast food chains and pubs, as well as processed small goods such as ham and bacon.

Research commissioned by APL earlier this year shows Australian consumers would back more detailed labelling.

"Nine in 10 Aussies want pork origin labelled on the menu," Mr Farmer said.

"Almost two thirds, in fact, say they'd be happy to pay a little bit more for it …so we know that there's that preference, but they're not able to make that informed choice."

The Federal Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins and her department have been contacted for comment.