Why is powdered infant formula kept behind the counter in some stores now?

Partly it is the expense. I worked in a grocery store and we stopped carrying cases of formula because they were too easy to steal.

Powdered formula is much more expensive per container so you get more "bang for your effort" when you steal it.

Secondly powdered formula is more likely to be stolen as it is (sadly) used to cut some drugs (no I don't know why).

Where I live there are a few stores that lock up all formula.

I've never seen that in Canada where I live but I'm sure it'll happen soon. I remember when I visited the US years ago I was shocked to see some convenience store clerks behind glass. I thought it could never happen here but not too long ago I went into a gas station here and sure enough there was a clerk behind a thick sheet of plexiglass. A sad sign on the times I guess. I think formula should be made much more affordable so people didn't have to resort to stealing it.

I worked in a drug store some 5 yr ago and it was kept behind the counter because it was a high theft item.

some cold meds and matchbooks can be used to make meth but not sure on formula!!

edit+++

wow, mystic and missbean I guess that does make sense! probably another reason it is stolen so much, then.

Actually, powdered baby formula is used quite often to cut with cocaine. Apparently, it has a nice "soft" consistency which is easier to inhale than some other substances that are used.

High theft item. My dad's girlfriend worked at Stop-n-shop and she told me that is one of the highest items stolen.

I'm guessing the ready-to-serve ones will be behind the counter soon enough.

There are a lot of desperate mothers out there trying to feed their babies. It gets stolen a lot!! A lot of babies don't like the ready to feed and it isn't stolen as often as the powdered formula.

at my work all big cans of formula are locked up because people steal them otherwise.

Desperate times. It's an item people need to have so they are willing to steal it because it's so expensive.

Sad, isn't it?

i bet bc some people cant afford the kind of formula that their babies needs so they just steal it..

never seen the powdered kind locked up... who knows?