For many Australian parents, breastfeeding their child isn’t an option. While the reasons for this certainly vary, there is a huge market for top quality baby formula.
Due to the high quality of Australian formulas, there is also a significant demand for the product in overseas markets, such as China, which has led to some Australian supermarkets locking baby formula away.
Yesterday, Reddit user puppy2010 shared an image of a notice regarding baby formula being moved at Coles. The notice read, “Popular lines of baby formula will now be available from the service kiosk to provide equal opportunity for all customers and deter theft.”
The notice reiterated that a customer could only buy a maximum of two items at any one time.
In April this year, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on a woman named Hannah Goland, whose six-month-old baby was allergic to milk which would trigger hives and an anaphylaxic reaction. Instead, she required a specific brand of prescription formula.
“I guess if a tin doesn’t come through, I’ll have to take him to hospital,” Ms Goland said.
“It is quite a scary thought. The government need to do something.”
With severe shortages of basic and prescription baby formula in Australia worsening, cases such as these are especially concerning, as Australian parents struggle to feed their children.
While practices such as locking away the formula, and placing a cap on the amount bought at any one time are useful in preventing theft and over-buying, it can be isolating for others.
This includes those who live in rural areas and can no longer purchase baby formula in bulk, forcing some families to take their children to hospital for basic nutrition.
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The Baby Bubble
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Somehow I’m certain common sense is prevailing here and remote families CAN purchase baby formula in bulk along with all their other necessities. If anyone has had a problem a quick call to Coles/Woolworths/whoever they purchase from would undoubtedly satisfactorily settle this issue (although I’m guessing this was a made up generalisation because no actual cases were provided to support these sweeping statements).
I think this is a story about nothing. A system to protect supplies and ensure everyone can access formula equally is important if shortages are happening.
I think it needs to go further and have government intervention. Ban the shipment of baby formula out of the country unless its by the suppliers. Have a register that people have to be on when they buy formula and link it birth records for their kids. It's outrageous that Australian parents are enduring this sort of stress about whether or not they're going to be able to feed their kids.
Not at all expensive, invasive and unrealistic, Ally...
I agree! If I had been forced to deal with this issue back when I had my twins it would have been my complete undoing. The answer should not be about trying to keep everyone happy, the government needs to protect local families from a shortage of an essential item.
My local pharmacist (always worthwhile being a return customer and establishing a relationship with a nearby pharmacy) said they would be happy to order in any formula I needed if I rang up and gave them a few days notice and I could come and pick it up.
The grocery duopoly are in it for the money, so they’re not going to go out of their way to stop sales. I heard that some keep cans at the desk for mums, so you could always ask.