{"id":621724,"date":"2026-04-21T16:27:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/621724\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:27:18","slug":"coles-shelves-stripped-as-controversial-product-banned-from-supermarkets-bunnings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/621724\/","title":{"rendered":"Coles shelves stripped as controversial product banned from supermarkets, Bunnings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coles has removed controversial household products<\/a> from its aisles and left tiny shelf notes warning staff not to restock them.<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk to your Department Manager for further instructions BEFORE filling,\u201d the note reads.<\/p>\n

In one store visited by Yahoo News, a staff member has added a sharper directive, writing \u201cDO NOT FILL\u201d.<\/p>\n

The notes have been placed in front of empty shelf space in the gardening and pest control section.<\/p>\n

Until March, some stores had filled the area with boxes of Ratsak Fast Action and Talon wax blocks, products with the active ingredient Brodifacoum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The chemical is one of five poisons categorised as second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs).<\/a><\/p>\n

Alternatives are still available at Coles, including salt-based Ratsak Naturals and first-generation Ratsak Double Strength.<\/p>\n

Products such as these are considered safer for consumer use because they are less of a risk to pets and other non-target species like owls and tawny frogmouths.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Left:<\/p>\n

Before and after photos at the Coles store at Yarraville Square highlight that Ratsak Fast Action throw packs are no longer available. Source: Yahoo News Australia<\/p>\n

Why Coles and Woolworths removed SGARs<\/p>\n

Coles and its rival Woolworths confirmed to Yahoo News that SGARs have been removed from stores nationwide.<\/p>\n

The decision followed a recommendation by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) <\/a>that they be declared restricted chemical products (RCPs), meaning they are not available for retail sale and can only be used by authorised or trained people.<\/p>\n

This is now under consideration by the federal government.<\/p>\n

In the interim period, there is a suspension of multiple SGAR products for one year from March 24, outlawing products that do not meet restrictions of size, packaging and use.<\/p>\n

Coles confirmed it is now \u201creviewing the announcement along with our suppliers\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can confirm that all SGAR products sold at Coles will comply with the APVMA\u2019s restrictions and requirements during the suspension period,\u201d it told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

The announcement indicates they will not be available for 12 months from the date they were suspended from sale in March.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Bunnings is continuing to sell some SGAR products, but it has committed to phasing them out by June 30. Source: Yahoo News Australia<\/p>\n

Bunnings’ long-term plan for SGARs<\/p>\n

During a multi-year investigation, the APVMA considered mounting evidence that SGARs were killing owls, tawny frogmouths, and even Tasmanian devils after they ate poisoned mice and rats.<\/p>\n

It concluded SGARs pose \u201cunacceptable risks to non-target animals\u201d and the Department of Agriculture (DAFF) is now considering the APVMA\u2019s recommendation.<\/p>\n

For now, the shelf spaces at Coles and Woolworths remain empty and have not been replaced with other items.<\/p>\n

Bunnings, which has a larger range of SGARs, is continuing to stock some products that meet the restrictions during the suspension period.<\/p>\n

But it has a plan to remove them by June 30<\/a>, around nine months ahead of the proposed RCP implementation.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s understood that any products that aren\u2019t sold will be returned to the supplier or disposed of.<\/p>\n

Conservationists who have campaigned against SGARs have viewed the proactive move as a sign the DAFF will accept the APMVA’s recommendation.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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