Fury over Bunnings promoting ‘dangerous’ product to customers, according to customers

Bunnings is under fire for selling a common product some countries have banned because it is potentially toxic.

Bunnings Warehouse has promoted glyphosate-based herbicides to customers despite it being banned elsewhere, according to a major consumer group.

The revelation follows secret shopper research which revealed the controversial weedkiller is the store’s most commonly recommended product to customers.

Consumer group SumOfUs conducted the research through secret shopper surveys at more than 50 stores across Australia.

Consumer group SumOfUs are spoken to by police while protesting about the sale of Roundup up outside Port Melbourne Bunnings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

The surveys found that Bunnings staff recommended carcinogenic Roundup or another glyphosate-based product to 53 per cent of customers.

Bunnings has previously defended its sale of glyphosate by ensuring it “actively promotes the use of PPE” to customers while using the product.

However, the research shows three per cent of customers were encouraged to use PPE by staff and 15 per cent of customers were able to find PPE in the weedkiller section of the store.

Bunnings Warehouse insists it follows the Australian regulator’s glyphosate advice, which approves the product as safe and effective.

Jen Tucker, Bunnings Director of Merchandise said the company monitors discussion and research on Glyphosate’s safety.

Bunnings has previously defended its sale of glyphosate by ensuring it “actively promotes the use of PPE” to customers while using the product. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“We continue to monitor the global discussion on Glyphosate and work with our team, the regulatory bodies and our suppliers to help customers make an informed decision as to what solution is right for them,” she said.

“Our garden care team are trained to recommend that customers follow the directions on product packaging, including using PPE if it’s recommended, and we co-locate and promote PPE in our garden care aisles.”

Glyphosate-based herbicides have been banned in dozens of countries in addition to multiple local governments in Australia because of its potential toxicity to humans.