‘It’s absolutely disgusting,’ says shopper as dad is essential locked behind plexiglass – there’s a disturbing reason

Grocery stores began blocking baby formula as prices for the powder began to skyrocket.

Parents have started to notice that stores are keeping formula behind locked Plexiglas, which requires an employee to unlock it.

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Over the past two years, the average price of baby formula has increased by 30 per cent, according to Statistics Canada, reported by CBC.

“It is absolutely disgusting that we have reached a point where people have to resort to stealing to feed their children,” said Alyssa Cassidy. CBC News.

“I think it’s classist. If you have money, then it’s not a big deal. For people who don’t, it’s just horrible and sad.”

However, parents in London, Ontario, may be experiencing this now, but shelves have been blocking products for years in big cities like Toronto, said Lesley Frank, Canada Research Chair in food, health and social justice at Acadia University. from Nova Scotia, to the canal.

London parents shared that a week of formula can cost between $30 and $70.

One mother said rising prices have been a “struggle” and can often leave her choosing which child will eat more.

“Sometimes you have to sacrifice or choose between having more or even fewer children. [grocery chains] I know it’s so expensive that people are going to start stealing it,” said Stephanie Green.

The parents had to get creative with the food, as Green explains that she can stretch a $40 tub to last her two kids a week if she buys the cheapest brand.

She also signed up for samples and testers to get even more food.

Another mother said she is forced to choose between paying bills and buying formula.

“You have to put your children first. If you’re not stealing formula, you’re stealing food,” said Amanda Brasier.

The Ontario mother has a daughter who needs a special lactose-free formula, resulting in $50 a week for one child.

“I was put in the formula or math situation. It’s ridiculous.”

Braiser shared that she had never stolen formula, but other mothers revealed that they have done so when money is tight.

WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE?

Frank has been trying to understand the ever-increasing price of formula over the past 10 years.

“Producers would likely blame higher factory costs, ingredient costs and energy costs. We also depend on some international corporations and there is very little competition in the market,” said Frank.

When she conducted a study in 2022 involving 1,500 families with children under two, she learned. “31% of these families suffered from food insecurity, and of those, more than 64% were worried about having enough money to buy formula.”

She also found that more than half of families bought formula instead of paying bills and almost 5% admitted to stealing formula before.

Frank thinks the government needs to do more about the costs of baby food in Canada.

The US Sun previously reported that Target also locked baby formula in its stores.

The price of the formula varies across retailers, but can cost around $40 to $53 per can.

Powdered milk is one of the top 15 items stolen from Target, according to FinanceBuzz.