Customers confused over Woolies detail

A supermarket shopper has been left confused after purchasing a zero per cent alcohol beer at a self-serve checkout.

A supermarket shopper has been left confused after purchasing a zero per cent alcohol beer and still needing to verify their age.

The shopper was at a Woolworths in Queensland when they were purchasing non-alcoholic beer through the self-serve checkout.

“B/Beer Zero 355ml requires age verification. Please put item aside. Our attendant will assist you prior to payment,” a prompt on the screen read.

The shopper was confused, adding two days ago they’d purchased another product of a similar nature and wasn’t asked for age verification.

Others shared their own experiences of being asked to prove their age over various items.

“Since the knife laws came in, I have to verify 18+ on people for butter knives and even bottle openers. So this does not surprise me one bit,” one social media user said.

Another added: “I was carded when buying … A WOODEN CUTTING BOARD. Yes, the bit of wood you put between the knife and the benchtop. Also, I’m in my mid 40s.”

The shopper was at a Woolworths in Queensland when they were purchasing non-alcoholic beer through the self-serve checkout. Picture: Reddit

“It’s been this way since I started working there 10+ years ago. It’s only obvious now because of self-service check-outs but this pop-up has always appeared on the normal check-outs,” one shared.

“It’s likely because you’re buying something that’s mimicking alcohol.”

Another added: “I work at my local pub. Idk if it’s illegal or not, but house policy is to not sell 0 alcohol beer to minors.”

A Woolworths spokeperson said it was a requirement at all stores.

“Across all our stores, we require age verification for low-alcoholic drinks and any non-alcoholic drinks which emulate traditional alcoholic beverages,” a Woolworths spokesperson told news.com.au.

It’s understood the requirement was introduced three years ago based on feedback and the nature of the products. It means age verification is needed on all products sold as “low or non-alcoholic alternative” to an alcoholic product.

It’s not a legal requirement.

It comes after a mechanic named Shane visited the Caloundra Bunnings on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to buy a garden hoe. But, it was behind a perspex screen and covered in warning signs. One read: “The sale of knives and other controlled items to minors is prohibited.”

Commenters called the new rule “weird” and “ridiculous”.

news.com.au understands the requirement was introduced three years ago based on feedback and the nature of the products. Picture: news.com.au

“The world has gone mad,” one person declared.

New lawsin Queensland came into effect on September 1, 2024, and meant that knives and other items were now considered controlled items.

Marg Walford, Queensland Bunnings General Manager of Operations, told news.com.au at the time the hardware chain worked closely with the local community to ensure customers’ needs were met while also protecting the safety of team members and shoppers.

“We worked to become fully compliant with the new laws around knives and other bladed items, which came into effect on September 1 this year,” Ms Walford told news.com.au.

“We’ve implemented several changes to our Queensland stores to ensure we’re supporting the new legislation’s requirements, including secure storage of certain products and prominent store signage.

“Our stores will continue to require customers to prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase bladed items, in line with our existing policy.”

Originally published as Customers confused over Woolies detail