Anti-discrimination bureaux have received six complaints from people of Asian appearance who have faced problems trying to buy baby milk powder, the NRC reports on Tuesday.

In the Plus supermarket in Benthuizen, staff have been told via an internal memo to limit sales to two packs per person, the NRC says. However, ‘clients who are unknown (read Chinese :-))’ are only allowed one pack, the memo stated.

Another woman was told at a Kruidvat branch in Vlaardingen that ‘we don’t sell to you’. When asked who the assistant meant, she was told ‘Yes, you Asian people’.

The anti-discrimination bureaux have had four complaints about refusals or problems at Etos stores.

Equality

All three companies told the NRC they are shocked at the complaints and that it is company policy to treat everyone equally.

Dutch supermarkets and chemists have been hit by shortages of baby milk because of demand from China, following a contamination scandal there. Many Dutch shops have limited supplies and are limiting purchases per customer.