A Liverpool MP and hunger campaigner challenged supermarket bosses after saying he is 'haunted' at the sight of baby formula being locked away on shelves.
Shocking images of formula in locked cases on supermarket shelves have appeared in the media, symbolising the grim extent of the cost of living crisis, with desperate parents resorting to stealing the hugely inflated products.
The price of essential food for babies and toddlers has skyrocketed in recent months, with some brands charging as much as £15 for a small jar.
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On Tuesday, bosses from the big four supermarkets were quizzed by the cross-party Business and Trade Committee in Parliament about food and fuel inflation amid accusations from some quarters about price gouging.
Liverpool Walton MP and anti-hunger campaigner Ian Byrne was invited onto the committee as a guest and questioned the executives on whether they would consider introducing price caps on essential products as has been done in other countries like France.
He said: "The images of baby formula milk in locks haunts me, I hope it haunts you. In light of what the IMF reported today about profiteering causing inflation, would you, like your counterparts in France, cap, or support capping essential items?"
In tense exchanges, he pushed the bosses from Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons on the issue - they all said they would not consider a policy of price controls, with one executive stating that 'competition would lead to the right place' on prices.
Speaking to the ECHO after the session, Mr Byrne said: "Images of locked up baby formula on supermarket shelves is a sign of a broken and failed society. I believe this stuff should be a public right for families but now we are seeing it being sold for £15 and people are desperate.
"We have seen price controls introduced in other countries like France and I have called for the Chancellor to do the same. I wanted to get the views of the supermarket bosses on the record on this issue."
He added: "I wasn't impressed with what I heard. That comment about leaving it to the market to sort things out? It is the market that has left us in a position where baby formula is costing £15. We need interventions, people are desperate."
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