Aldi shoppers have been left gobsmacked after catching the budget supermarket adding security tags to an unexpected item. Blocks of the brand’s Everyday Essentials Mature White Cheddar, priced at £4.88 for 900g, have been protected with security tags at one of its branches.
A photo of the locked-up cheese has gone viral on social media, where users have shared their shock, disgust and humour over the sight.
Commenting on the picture, one user said: “It’s a sad time we live in when you can’t even trust people with cheese anymore.”
Another user joked: “Cheddar safe than sorry.” A third user said: “When I worked at Family Dollar, we absolutely put security devices on everything.
Spiderwraps on expensive items and sticker tags on stuff like $0.50 cans of potted meat. It’s wild out there.” One more user added: “Where does it end? Tags on Pringles? Tags on brisket? Tags on a fountain drink?”
Adding to the discussion, a user who works in a supermarket tried to shed light on why Aldi may have tagged the cheese. They said: “I work in grocery and twice in the past two weeks we have the same person steal $100 worth of feta blocks, as well as another $150 in expensive charcuterie. People suck, and theft is out of control.”
A final user added: “At some point they’ll stop tagging products and just start tagging shoppers at the door instead. You’ll have to show proof of purchase to get it removed, and store security will have the option to remote-detonate it if you try to run off with anything.”
It comes after Sainsbury’s customers spotted security tags on Red Bull energy drinks in one of its store’s Meal Deal section. Sharing the discovery on the Facebook group Dull Men’s Club, a shopper said: “Today was an odd one. I went into Sainsburys to grab a Red Bull and found it equipped with anti theft caps! Nothing screams high value target like an energy drink. Curious to see if they’ll start locking up our tea bags next.”
In response, one user joked: “They were growing wings and flying off the shelves.” While another theorised how the measure might have been introduced to spot children from stealing the drink now they’re no longer able to buy them.
One user said: “Kids will nick them, energy drinks is their water/coffee.” Meanwhile a third chimed in: “You have no idea how many people walk the aisles, chug 2/3 of a can and then hide it somewhere. It eventually gets knocked over and causes a sticky mess. Stores do what they have to do and I don’t blame them.”
Adding to this, another user explained: “In the UK there is a challenge 25,” adding, “Meaning they will ask for ID if you look under 25. Energy drinks in the UK can only be bought if you are over 16 and alcohol over 18.”
Aldi has been contacted for a comment.
