SINGAPORE, Jan 18 — Supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice has put up locks on shelfs displaying infant formula in one of its stores as a trial to prevent theft.

In response to queries from TODAY, a FairPrice spokesman said today that it started the trial at its Bukit Batok MRT Station outlet as infant formula is "a common item that is typically shoplifted”.

"This trial started two weeks ago and we continue to assess the feasibility of continuing or extending this initiative,” it said.

It added that the trial complements various other security measures it has put in place, including close-circuit television cameras and plain clothes security officers to deter shoplifting.

Yesterday, a Twitter user by the name of Shawn Lim had tweeted a photo of the locked displays.

"Breaks my heart that there (are) people out there struggling to feed their babies,” the tweet added. — TODAY