{"id":837439,"date":"2026-08-01T08:56:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T08:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/837439\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T08:56:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T08:56:21","slug":"woolworths-pulls-controversial-products-from-shelves-today-ahead-of-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/837439\/","title":{"rendered":"Woolworths pulls controversial products from shelves today ahead of ban"},"content":{"rendered":"

Woolworths is expected to cease the sale of a deadly line of pest control products from today, after the nation’s pesticides regulator declared they pose an “unacceptable risk”.<\/a><\/p>\n

The move will see brands of rodenticide like Ratsak Fast Action, Talon Rat and Mouse Killer, and Difend Rodenticide<\/a> blocks removed from shelves.<\/p>\n

It follows a March recommendation by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) that the five second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) chemicals be declared Restricted Chemical Products (RCPs).<\/p>\n

Rat bait chemicals linked to owl deaths<\/p>\n

A decade of research, spearheaded by Edith Cowan University, found SGARs were unintentionally killing native birds and mammals that eat rats and mice.<\/a><\/p>\n

Tawny frogmouths, owls and eagles<\/a> were being frequently rescued with internal bleeding or neurological decline.<\/p>\n

Pets were also presenting at vets with poisoning symptoms.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Tawny frogmouths were one species that commonly presented with signs of SGAR poisoning.<\/p>\n

(James D. Morgan\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Coles responded to the APVMA announcement<\/a> by immediately withdrawing them from sale, and Bunnings destocked its shelves at the end of June.<\/a><\/p>\n

Metcash, the supplier to IGA and Mitre 10, has not responded to previous requests for comment about whether it plans to do the same.<\/p>\n

Woolworths ceases sale ahead of APVMA schedule<\/p>\n

Woolworth’s decision to remove the products was first revealed to Yahoo News in May.<\/a><\/p>\n

“Following a review of our product range, Woolworths will cease sale of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide (SGAR) products from the end of July 2026,” it said.<\/p>\n

“This is ahead of the March 2027 commencement date set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.”<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

This week, Woolworths came under fire from ecologists for heavily discounting its remaining SGAR stock.<\/a><\/p>\n

Many brands were being sold at half price, while Ratsak Fast Action was slashed from $9 to $3.50.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n