The debate over baby formula supply has turned sour in Wagga, with an argument over a sale in Big W ending violently on Saturday morning. 

A witness told The Daily Advertiser a verbal altercation occurred around 9.30am, ending with the customer shoving multiple tins at a staffer.  

A spokesman from the store confirmed the limit of two tins per customer per day has been in place for some time, but was unable to comment regarding the weekend incident. 

Last week, Woolworths moved to reduce its limit from four to two cans per customer as they battle to keep the sought-after product in stock nationally. 

Purchasing restrictions are in place to stop the mass purchase of formula for the purpose of reselling overseas, largely in China, where the market for Australian formula has boomed following health scandals with Chinese products. 

In May this year, market research group Mintel reported more than half of Chinese mothers think formula from Australia and New Zealand is more “natural” and “safe”. 

Rebecca O’Brien, from Kooringal, was reduced to tears when desperately hunting for formula for her baby two months ago. 

“I had to search out three different supermarkets for formula, Woolworths were the worst,” she said. 

“They made no effort to help me, as I stood in front of them crying with my then three-week-old.” 

Ms O’Brien thinks the limit has negative consequences for local mothers. 

“Putting a limit on it doesn’t really restrict those who come in groups to buy out the shelves, and makes it difficult to those mothers who live out of town or have limited transport,” she said. 

She said she’s had to completely alter her shopping habits.

“Each time I enter a supermarket I check the formula aisle, to see if there's any tins available, and always pick up a couple, to ensure we never run out,” she said. 

IGA Ashmont owner Eddie Wang said they don’t have a customer limit, but there is a company supply limit of one carton per six months on Karicare and S-26 products.  

Daily Advertiser