‘When it gets to the point where Woolies and Coles have to take products off the shelves and lock them up, it’s disappointing it’s that much of a problem’: Products removed from shelves amid abuse concerns

Peppermint and almond essences, along with similar baking products have been removed from the shelves at select major NT grocery stores, with concerns the public are abusing the products to get intoxicated.

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PEPPERMINT and almond essences, along with similar baking products have been removed from the shelves at select major grocery stores across the Top End, with concerns the public are abusing the products to get intoxicated.

The NT News recently found the products removed from the shelves at Coles at Oasis Shopping Centre, with the company confirming it had placed them behind the service counter of a few stores.

A standard brand 50ml bottle of peppermint essence contains 35 per cent of alcohol, while 50ml bottle of almond extract has a 15 per cent ethanol volume.

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Over the past 18 months Woolworths has also removed baking essences and mouth wash from the public shelves at Bakewell, Casuarina, Karama and Katherine.

A Woolworths spokeswoman said the company continue to work with police and community organisations to address concerns of misuse.

“We treat product misuse seriously and intend to play our part in upholding community safety,” she said.

“In stores where product misuse has emerged as an issue, we’ve placed products behind our service desk as an interim measure.

“Together with our suppliers, we’re exploring more practical longer-term solutions that will enable us to safely display products on the shopfloor.” A Coles spokeswoman said it managed the sale of products behind the service desk on a store-by-store basis either voluntarily or based on police, government and community advice.

Peppermint and almond essence was removed from the shelves of Coles at Oasis Shopping Centre. Picture: Raphaella Saroukos

Larrakia Nation chief executive Robert Cooper said while the organisation hadn’t encountered incidents of abuse with these products, it knew it was occurring within the community.

“What’s disappointing is if it becomes a trend, it continues,” he said.

“When it gets to the point where Woolies and Coles have to take products off the shelves and lock them up, it’s disappointing it’s that much of a problem, but encouraging to know that Woolies and Coles take a responsible attitude to it.”

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He urged the community, especially parents and guardians, to “educate, intervene and divert”.

An NT Health spokeswoman said it was aware of the decisions to keep the products behind counters.

“Removing the products from easy access is often all that is needed to create a shift in behaviour,” she said.

“Decisions of this nature can be made when a trend or particular instance is observed by health clinic staff, youth workers, police, or school staff.”

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