Security tags put on baby milk
Sainsbury’s has resorted to placing security tags on baby formula at branches in Kent.
Stores in Staplehurst and Maidstone are among those putting the measures in place as the cost of living crisis deepens.
Tags could be seen on Aptamil and Cow and Gate infant and toddler milk.
But despite the company saying the tags were not a new addition, the chain refused to give further detail about why it had made the move in the first place.
In March, the price of Aptamil’s Organic 1 First Infant Milk from Birth 800g rose from £12 to £13.50 while its advanced formula of the same weight cost £16 when we visited Maidstone’s Romney Place store.
Suppliers have blamed the rising costs of production, transportation and storage.
Baby formula has suffered shortages in the UK and the USA in the past two years, with America significantly affected.
Sainsbury’s shopper Sarah Farmer, a full-time mum-ofone, said parents were feeling the pinch due to the rising cost of products.
She said: “I used to pay around
£10 for baby formula. People are struggling as it is, so what do they expect people to do now that everything is going up?”
The 34-year-old added: “I’ve just gone into the store and spent £70 but I will have to come
back in a few days time and top up more bits.
“Everything’s sky-rocketed, a weekly shop that used to cost me £40 now costs me £70.
“So more people will start to do silly things, the crime rate will
go up. Theft and the rest of it.”
Full-time mum-of-two Kirsty Bailey said: “It is a bit frustrating because you have to ask staff to take the tags off, and if no one’s tavailable then you’re delayed waiting around.”
Radio frequency identification tags operate through a transmitter which sound an alert when an item is removed from a shop.
Tags are normally used to prevent thefts of luxury items, such as perfume or alcohol, and removed by staff at the till.
Amanda Sidwell, the founder of charity Make a Difference Maidstone, which operates a
food bank in the town, appealed for parents in desperate situations to get in touch with organisations like hers.
The 60-year-old said: “If anyone is in genuine need they shouldn’t steal, there’s about four food banks in Maidstone.
“Also there’s another amazing charity named the Princess Project which helps underprivileged families and single mums. When we get any nappies or babyfoodwepassitontothem.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said decisions to security tag products differed by store.
‘Everything’s skyrocketed, a weekly shop that used to cost me £40 now costs me £70’
How is the cost of living crisis affecting you? Get in touch with us at messengernews@ thekmgroup.co.uk