Hello!

What do other mums think of the baby formula problem in Australia at the moment? All the people buying up our formula to sell at inflated prices to the Chinese because they have poor quality formula. I have heard supermarkets have put a limit on the number of cans people can buy at once, which is causing issues for those with multiple births. What do you think?


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  • I’d imagine it is a bit stressful for all those mums out there! I’m super lucky to have squeaked through as my kids are off bottles now. I heard there’s a new supply line Australia’s established as well as a new formula range. Not sure if the new range will just be for overseas distribution or not. Hopefully it will ease up soon!


  • The baby of a close friend of mine has to have a particular lactose free formula. Interstate it is very scarce, so when she went to visit her parents she bought some a couple of times and so did her parents. She took it home in her luggage on the plane.


  • well it will probably get better now that woolies has opened a direct supply to china. so they have got in


  • The formula shortage has made things very difficult. I can not count the amount of stressed out Mums I see looking worrysome in the formula aisle.
    It’s disgusting to think that some people would do this to children just to make a few extra dollars.


  • I find it hard to believe there is a shortage tbh. Everytime i bave been to the supermarket, i find that there is quite a few tins on the shelves. That being said people who buy formula in bulk to resell at a profit disgust me. I mean, buy them online for crying out loud. Why deprive others so you can make a quick buck? It’s so selfish


  • Im sick of going to local supermarket (Coles) and them not having the formula I need. I think the 4 limit per person needs to be enforced instead of just being in place and regarding multiple births, then they should be allowed 4 per child. I have no idea how you could prove how many Jude you have if what if hubby is buying the formula and kids are at home. Either way something needs to be done.


  • I was surprised yesterday to see someone at the shops struggling with bags full of formula!


  • i find it so hard to comprehend that some people have no compassion for others in this situation and instead of sharing what limited supply there is they buy it all and ship it off shore – all they are seeing is the $$
    my local chemist doesn’t even put the stock on the shelf anymore for this reason. they hold a limited supply and only sell to a select group of people who ask and get one tin.


  • It is complicated for sure and there is no easy solution as someone could purchase formula from multiple shops.


  • I think the limit needs to be enforced, kids will have to be introduced to cows milk earlier, or a company needs to come up with another solution.


  • I can’t actually believe that it’s happening. I can totally understand why shops are placing limits on what people can buy.


  • When my son was on formula I remember the issue was critical then and quite often I would have to travel from store to store to find his formula whilst the supermarkets willingly sold more than the 4 tin quota they placed signs on the shelf for. I witnessed someone literally buy a trolley full of formula leaving the shelves bar which is a worry particularly if you urgently need to buy formula as you have none left. Im not sure what the answer is but cant help but think that maybe customs needs to step in and ban formula being shipped overseas.


  • while I am sympathetic to the plight of Chinese parents, I don’t believe that our formula should be shipped offshore, and much less at the premium that the scalpers are charging. either the formula companies need to ramp up production and export it direct(thus cutting out the grey market) or more should be done to enforce strict quality controls on the formula that china produces themselves, or better yet, both should happen. the parents in Australia should not have to panic where they are going to get the formula for their bubs next bottle!


  • Im finding it very hard to get the formula my son drinks aptamil stage 2. Been to 10 different stores have now having to buy it online


  • I didn’t know the problem was so big! Its a shame that inferior products are used in other countries – more ought be done to help prevent this happening.


  • I think it’s disgraceful that the Chinese keep making things that are unsafe for their citizens, glad I don’t live there


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