Melbourne mum petitions Woolworths to enforce baby formula limit

AN angry mum frustrated with Woolworths response to the formula shortage has called for the supermarket to enforce a strict two tin limit.

AN angry mother fed up with searching stores for baby formula for her two young children is peititioning Woolworths to enforce a two tin per customer limit.

Melanie White was infuriated by Woolworths response after a mum posted a photo online of customers buying trolley loads of A2 Platinum Formula from Epping Plaza Woolworths.

Dr White, from Malvern East, has struggled to find S26 Gold Lactose Intolerant formula for her seven-month-old Kobi and two-year-old Skyla, who can’t drink cow’s milk.

She said she saw the photos shared on a Melbourne mothers group Facebook page and was angry with Woolworths’ “lack of” response prompting her to start a change.org petition Aussie Parents Want Fair Access to Baby Formula.

RELATED: Woolworths shoppers photographed with trolleys full of rationed formula at Epping Plaza

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HAVE YOUR SAY:Will a two can limit help? Tell us below.

Spokesman Sean Ottley told Leader yesterday the company had an eight tin limit and “ensures there is always sufficient stock for all of our customers in our supermarkets.”

Dr White said she couldn’t find the formula she needs at Woolworths.

Malvern East mum Dr Melanie White has started a petition calling for Woolworths to enforce formula limits.

“I’ve gone from shop to shop (looking for formula), I’ve even tried ordering online with my groceries but it didn’t turn up,” Dr White said.

“My mum went into the CBD and went to every supermarket and chemist and found only two tins.

“People think ‘just buy another (different brand) tin’, but... babies can get sick and refuse to eat (after switching formulas).”

Supermarkets have rationed sales as demand for infant formula has soared with some suppliers struggling to meet booming demand, partly due to students and others buying it in bulk and selling it to people in China.

Coles and Chemist Warehouse both have two-tin per customer limits.

Australian sellers on abbe and Gumtree are offering to sell and ship popular brands of formula to China and elsewhere, often asking more than $100 for tins of products that usually retail for about $30.

Many ads are in English and Mandarin, in an apparent pitch to Chinese parents desperate to get their hands on safe products, after a series of fatal formula scares in China.

Today, one tin of a brand infant formula, made with a protein said to be gentle on tiny tummies and which normally sells for about $30, was being offered for $190.

Another tin of Bellamy’s organic infant formula was listed for $150. Its recommended retail price is $24.70.

Dr White said she usually goes through 1-2 tins a week but has has been forced to reduce the amount of formula her toddler drinks to make sure she has enough for her baby.

“Anecdotally from other mums I’m hearing other supermarkets are enforcing it (the formula limit) but Woolworths aren’t taking it seriously and that’s compounding the problem,” she said.

Dr White said it was a “really stressful feeling” trying to make sure she had enough milk for her baby.

“I don’t feel safe unless I have at least one spare tin,” Dr White said.

“Babies under age one get most of their nutrients from milk, this is not a luxury it’s an essential.”

The petition has nearly 300 signitures so far.

Mr Ottley said the eight can limit had been in place for “some time”.

“We are reminding stores that this is in place to make sure all shoppers have the opportunity to purchase the items they need.”