A North East shopper has been left shocked after having to have the Lurpak that he'd bought 'unlocked' from a security box by store workers.

The member of the public, who had been shopping at Co-Op in Shiney Row, Tyne and Wear, when the incident happened, called the measure "extreme" but understood the lengths that shops have to go to secure their products. 

This measure taken by Co-op isn't the first example of security-tagged food in the North East. 

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Earlier this year, shoppers noticed blocks of cheese, beef, and Aptamil baby, toddler and follow-on milk had been security tagged by ASDA, Aldi and Morrisons. 

On this occasion in Shiney Row, the shopper said: "I just couldn't believe it! But I suppose it's a mark of how expensive it is and the shop worker said they were just repeatedly being stolen.

"Seems a bit extreme to have it in a box - but if that is what is needed.

"They are having to do the same with beef steaks, it's crazy."

In response to the security tagging of products, Co-op said that it wasn't a nationwide measure that it was taking. 

The Northern Echo: The pack of Lurpak in a security boxThe pack of Lurpak in a security box (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

Meanwhile, some shoppers have been complaining about the price of popular brand Lurpak.

Prices ranged from £6 for a 750g tub in Asda and £7.25 for a 750g tub in Sainsbury's, with some branding the price "ludicrous" and "ridiculous".

However, Arla, which owns Lurpak, has clarified that they don't set the price of its products - that's down to the retailers.

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A spokesperson for the brand said: “We understand that recent inflation in food prices is hitting many households really hard right now.

"Unfortunately, our farmers are facing a similar situation with prices for the feed, fertiliser and fuel they need to produce milk, all rising significantly in recent months.

"While we don’t set the prices on the shelves, we do work closely with the retailers to ensure our farmers receive a fair price for the milk they produce.

"Prices on the shelves have had to rise in recent months to ensure our farmers can continue supplying the products that we all enjoy.”