Fury as shopper told she can’t buy sanitary pads at Tesco in Wales because they are not essential

A supermarket in Wales has been blasted after female shoppers were told they couldn’t buy sanitary pads because they are not an “essential item”.

UK supermarket giant Tesco has been blasted after a shopper was told she couldn’t buy sanitary pads at a branch in Wales because they are not an essential item.

The supermarket giant has found itself embroiled in a furious row as female customers say they were left “raging and in tears” over the move at a branch in Cardiff.

Tesco initially blamed the Welsh government for the row – claiming ministers said the products can’t be sold throughout the country’s 17-day COVID lockdown.

But the store was forced to issue an apology after government ministers said they were an essential item.

Female customers are furious at Tesco for refusing to sell sanitary pads. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

Shoppers were left furious after the sanitary items were cordoned off.

One shopper, Katie, tweeted the supermarket giant to ask: “Can you explain why I was told today that I can’t buy period pads as I’m sure they are essential to women?

“But I can buy alcohol – it doesn’t make sense.”

Shoppers were told that sanitary pads were ‘non-essential’ items.

Single mum Nichola-Louise Smith said: “I’m literally raging and in tears.

“Tesco, how the hell is beer essential and period products non-essential.”

Tesco replied to Katie on Twitter: “We understand how frustrating these changes will be for our Welsh customers.

“However, we have been told by the Welsh government not to sell these items for the duration of the firebreak.”

But the chain later apologised for getting it wrong after government officials clarified that the products can be sold.

In a tweet, a government spokesperson hit back: “This is wrong – period products are essential.

Women have lashed out at Tesco for not selling them sanitary products.

“Supermarkets can still sell items that can be sold in pharmacies.

“Only selling essential items during firebreak is to discourage spending more time than necessary in shops.

“It should not stop you accessing items that you need.”

Tesco was then forced clarify: “Of course sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores, including those in Wales.”

But later this afternoon the store bizarrely said the sanitary product area was cordoned off due to a burglary.

Tesco has apologised for labelling sanitary items as ‘non-essential’. Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “Due to a break-in, this area was closed temporarily in one store for a police investigation, but is now open again.

“The reply to this customer, which implied these products were non-essential, was sent by mistake and we’re very sorry for any confusion caused.”

Women have taken to Twitter to show how upset they are.

Marnie Tyler, 18, said: “It’s madness – there should be clear guidance on what is essential.

“I felt sorry for the woman who was refused in Cardiff; it’s unfair.

“My brother was stopped from buying baby milk and that’s pretty essential too.”

Factory worker Ellie Hodges, 19, said: “In some places you can get sanitary products for free but this woman was stopped from buying them altogether.

Rules have been applied due to the coronavirus restrictions. Picture: Hollie Adams/AFP

“There are some stupid things going on with the way the rules are being applied.

“You can’t buy a duvet or a duvet cover so what would happen if your child had an accident in the night.

“They would be left to freeze without a duvet.”

‘It doesn’t make sense,’ one women commented on Twitter.

University student and netball coach Katie Mason, 18, said: “I think it is disgusting – sanitary products are absolutely essential items and supermarkets should know what.

“It’s completely out of order – the Welsh Government needs to have a good look at this.”

Mum-of-two Sarah Wathan, 56, said: “I think it is awful What are women supposed to do?

“We didn’t get a lot of notice about the new lockdown so unless you had a stockpile at home you could be made to wait for 17 days to buy essential items. It’s just mad.”

Officials in Wales face a huge backlash over their definition over what counts as essential.

BACKLASH OVER ESSENTIALS

This comes as officials in the country face a huge backlash over their definition over what counts as essential and what doesn’t.

During the new shutdown, which came into force at 6pm on Friday, stores are unable to sell clothes to customers and staff are being told to prioritise the sale of “important” essential goods.

Tesco customers have been stunned as to what is considered ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

Stunned shoppers shared images of aisles being cordoned off.

Stationery, books, winter doonas, children’s clothes and even cleaning products like mops are banned from sale until November.

The terms of the new measures are far harsher than the original March lockdown – when supermarkets weren’t banned from selling any items.

The rules have caused a lot of confusion from stores and shoppers alike. Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP

More than 50,000 people have now signed the largest-ever Senedd petition contesting the rules on ‘non-essential goods’.

Rules descended further into confusion as ministers said people can buy non-essential goods in supermarkets – in exceptional circumstances.