# Woman Complains After Pregnancy Tests Were Placed In Security Cases

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/news-opinion/general/woman-complains-after-pregnancy-tests-were-placed-in-security-cases/
- Published: 2017-05-31T11:06:28+10:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

## _A Woolworths supermarket has come under fire after a woman noticed that several�pregnancy tests were placed�in plastic security cases._

Ellie Blackwood, from Carlton, has posted a photo of the pregnancy tests on Woolworths’
�[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158706976865142&set=o.147632815308858&type=3&theater)
�page on Monday and asked why these were stored in security�cases.

> “I was wondering why your pregnancy tests are stored in electronic cases that 
> require women and girls to seek permission before they can purchase?” she wrote.
> “It certainly can’t be because they are deemed a luxury or expensive item, because
> the more costly Nicobate product [smoking patches] next to the test is sitting
> unsecured on the shelf.”

The pregnancy tests in the photo ranged from $9-$23, while the Nicobate patches 
cost $35.

[⌊Woman complains after pregnancy tests were placed in security cases in woolworths
| stay at home mum⌉⌊Woman complains after pregnancy tests were placed in security
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Social media users immediately reacted to her post, giving their own opinion on 
why the�tests required a security case.

> One commenter wrote: “I worked at a supermarket that had a high theft rate for
> pregnancy testers, so they removed them from the shelf and put them behind the
> front counter instead. When stores notice that one particular product is being
> targeted, management is told to implement measures to prevent/deter people from
> stealing to correct the issue.”
> Another user commented that putting the pregnancy tests in security cases may 
> discourage young women from obtaining the tests. “While the product might be stored
> that way because of the risk it might be stolen, it places barrier between women,
> and girls, who may want to obtain a pregnancy test but be anxious about doing 
> so. While we might like to think there isn’t judgment, the perception of its possibility
> is often enough to discourage young women.”

Ms Blackwood also commented�that most women would be embarrassed at having to ask
a Woolworths staff member to remove the plastic box, and that could deter them from
taking a pregnancy test. “They must be being stolen because women feel embarrassed
about buying them,” she wrote.�”Can you now imagine someone too ashamed to purchase
a pregnancy test at the checkout among their other groceries, going to the customer
service desk and asking ‘Steve the store manager’ to help the unlock this electronic
box?”

In a comment to Ms Blackwood’s post, Woolworths wrote: “We try to reduce the risk
of stock loss as much as possible. This packaging was intended as a security measure
implemented by our store team. We’ve now followed this up with our team and passed
on your feedback and the case will be removed.”

Source:�[News.com.au](http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/pregnancy/woman-criticises-woolworths-for-storing-pregnancy-tests-in-locked-plastic-security-cases/news-story/df5fb45226ccd34780de1ccad7ca0d0f)

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 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)