Coles restricts access to baby formula in some NSW stores

Baby formula will be joining razors and cigarettes behind the counter at some NSW supermarkets to ensure local parents have enough to feed their infants.

It comes after reports that some baby formula brands, worth between $25-$35 for a one-kilogram tin, were being bought in bulk from Australian supermarkets and on-sold to China for a profit of $100 per tin.

Over recent years Aussie mums have turned to social media and other platforms to express their frustration about not being able to get the brands their babies like, or need because they have dietary issues.

It comes after a series of fatal formula scares in China in recent years which made Chinese parents desperate to get their hands on safe products.

Coles will now keep tins of baby formula on shelves behind service desks or tagged with Electronic Article Surveillance lids in some stores, a supermarket spokeswoman said in a statement.

The sign explains the removal was "to provide equal opportunity" to shoppers.Credit: Reddit/puppy2010

"Coles is committed to ensuring that our customers with a genuine need for infant formula have access to this product," the statement said.

Woolworths won't be following Coles, saying it is not in its policy to have baby formula behind their shelves or locked away.

"Baby formula remains available on the shelf for customers in Woolworths stores," a spokesman said.

"We're continuing to work with our suppliers to increase the supply of these essential family items."

Both Coles and Woolworths have a two-tin limit for customers.

A reddit user posted a photo of a sign from the formula aisle of Coles in Five Dock saying the removal was "to provide equal opportunity" to shoppers and to deter theft.

AAP