A shopper was shocked to find security tags on packets of steak sold at a Coles supermarket in Melbourne.
The customer noticed the tags, which are more commonly seen on clothing in department stores, on the corner of a quick-cooking Coles brand porterhouse steak.
The shopper posted the photo of supermarkets’ latest crackdown on crime on social media site Reddit.
“Physical security tags on Coles steaks,” the user wrote in the caption.
The post was flooded with hundreds of comments from users decrying the use of the tags.
A shopper was shocked after they found security tags (pictured) on packets of steak left in a Coles supermarket
“Security labels on food of any kind are depressing,” said one user.
“That’s a mess,” wrote another.
Others said they would reconsider shopping at Coles and lashed out at the measure at a time when people are struggling to pay for essentials during a cost-of-living crisis.
‘It’s depressing that we’ve come this far. Cost of living, spending more on theft prevention instead of lowering prices so people don’t have to steal meat,” said one user.
‘To be honest, I’m now looking for a local butcher shop. If I see even one of these tags in my local (Coles), that will be it,” said another user.
Some added that not all Coles stores in Australia have installed the security tags on meat products.
‘This is not in every store. It’s about where you live,” said one user.
The latest discovery comes after shoppers also noticed security tags printed on items, without the physical device.
One customer noticed a lock symbol on the corner of a pack of lamb chops, with the words “security protected” printed on the outside of the lock icon.
Shoppers criticized the move to introduce the safety measure for supermarket meat products (photo)
Shoppers also previously noticed a ‘protected’ feature printed on packs of meat, with one customer spotting the lock symbol on the corner of a pack of lamb chops (pictured)
Some consumers defended the supermarket giant’s move to install the devices, saying farmers were struggling with slow growth of crops to feed their livestock.
A former Coles employee said she often found empty steak and lamb packets on shelves in the meat department after shoppers had removed the items from their packaging.
A Coles spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the security tags have been introduced in some stores as part of steps the company has taken to prevent items from being stolen.
“The safety of our team members and customers is our top priority, and we have a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores, including security staff and surveillance technologies such as CCTV,” the spokesperson said.
‘The Reddit post showing tags on some meat products is a very small trial in just ten Victorian stores.
“We are constantly reassessing and trying new safety measures.”
Security tags have long been used by supermarket chains and retailers as a measure to protect inventory from theft.
The most common type of security tags used by businesses are EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) devices.
The tags emit a signal when a customer attempts to leave a store without paying for an item, when the device is detected at the exit.