In essence, the proof is in ID checks

Tag : Flavouring Essence

YOUNG shoppers will need to prove they are 18 or over when buyingbottles of cooking essence from supermarkets and corner stores.
The new regulation is being imposed to stop NSW children frombecoming drunk on the contents of the popular ingredient used forbaking cakes and flavouring food.
Cooking essence, which sells for less than $1, contains highconcentrations of alcohol. Lemon and orange essence has an alcoholcontent of 69 per cent.
These products are not illegal as long as they are sold incontainers of no more than 100 millilitres for vanilla essence and50 millilitres for other essence types.
NSW Gaming and Racing Minister Graham West said the restrictionswould probably come into effect on January 1 next year.
The office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing director Albert Gardnersaid the sale of cooking essence would be tracked in the same wayas analgesics such as headache tablets. A prompt on the check-outscreen would warn cashiers to check the age of those buying cookingessence.
"A customer who appears to be under 18 may be asked to show ID," MrGardner said.
The Government acted after North Sydney police issued a statewidealert warning that young people were becoming drunk on cookingessence.
Authorities contacted essence manufacturers and retailers todiscuss controls over their sale.
Retail associations have warned their members to exercise cautionin selling these products.
Woolworths removed cooking essences from its shelves for two weeksafter it was contacted by the government officials.
The supermarket chain has already restricted the sale of theproduct to shoppers aged 18 and over.
Australian National Retailers Association chief executive MargyOsmond said her members would comply with the minister's wishes.
"Our members are not aware that sales of lemon essence hadincreased, but as responsible retailers they will comply with anyregulations," she said.