Foodstuffs brings security to the infant formula shelf

Foodstuffs brings security to the infant formula shelf

The news yesterday about the threat to infant formula is very concerning and we know we have an important role to play in keeping customer confidence in the security of the products we sell. Across our Foodstuffs stores of New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square we are committed to ensuring parents and caregivers can continue to access their normal range of infant formula. We have implemented a number of additional security protocols through our supply chain and in-store to give customers confidence in the infant formula purchased from our stores. Our approach is essentially to ‘bring security to the shelf’.

This means all customers entering a Foodstuffs store will be subject to heightened surveillance and there will be higher security in-store. Some of this security is covert and customers may not notice it at all. But in our New World and PAK’nSAVE stores customers are likely to see some obvious security measures, including:

· Continuous CCTV monitoring of shelf

· Signage advising customers of the threat

· The physical presence of an ‘Infant Formula Milk Monitor’ at the shelf who is responsible for visually monitoring the product on shelf and with giving infant formula customers the MPI consumer guide on how to check for tampering

· Our check out staff will also be giving customers purchasing infant formula a copy of the MPI consumer guide so that they can check any product purchased for tampering

In smaller New Worlds or Four Square stores where full CCTV coverage at shelf is not possible customers can expect to see:

· Signage advising customers of the threat

· Infant formula moved to in front of check out so that staff can continually visually monitor the product

· Check out staff will also be giving customers purchasing infant formula a copy of the MPI consumer guide so that they can check any product purchased for tampering

Feedback from customers on the security measures that were implemented yesterday has been very positive. We have been told that customers feel reassured that there is a physical presence monitoring the product in-store and they appreciate the ability to be able to buy the much needed product as part of their normal supermarket shop, albeit with heightened security.

Advice from the MPI

As advised by MPI any customer who has a concern that their infant formula has been tampered with should call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 and they will advise of the appropriate actions that need to be taken. We would ask customers to not take any suspect product back to store.

Any customer who has a concern about their child’s health should contact their health provider or go to their local Hospital Accident and Emergency immediately. Parents can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for health advice from experienced registered nurses who provide health information and recommend appropriate care to callers.

If you require support about what to feed your baby then Plunket is also available on 0800 933 922.

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