A 40-year-old shopper was unable to buy non-alcoholic beer from an Auckland supermarket - because his 33-year-old wife didn't have ID.
Joanna Kasiske and her husband Konrad were doing their weekly grocery shop at Countdown in Ponsonby on Saturday afternoon when the operator demanded ID for a four-pack of 0 per cent beer in the couple's trolley - but Kasiske hadn't brought hers.
And she was surprised to find she needed ID even though the beer had no alcohol.
"They said that doesn't matter because it's a 'gateway drink' and I still need ID."
Staff also said the couple were a group and it was policy that everyone in a group needed to show ID.
Kasiske called the rule "nonsensical".
"If a husband and wife doing a grocery shop counts as a group that seems over the top."
They asked to see a supervisor and a manager to query the checkout operator's call.
Both said once a call had been made it was their responsibility to stand by their staff member's judgment.
"I respect that, but try to have a little common sense," Kasiske said.
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Inside the Ponsonby Countdown, where the couple were denied buying the 0 per cent alcohol beer. (Photo / Dean Purcell)
A Countdown spokesman said the company erred on the side of caution to avoid breaching the strict regulations enforced by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.
"We appreciate that sometimes it can seem over-zealous, and it's certainly not our intention to frustrate our customers, but we are committed to getting the right balance."
Store policy was to ask anyone under 25 for ID if they believed that person would be supplied alcohol, he said.
"While sometimes our team can underestimate a customer's age, as is the situation here, we'd much rather our team asked for ID than didn't."
Foodstuffs carried the same group rule as Countdown, and spokeswoman Sue Hamilton said some non-alcoholic drinks, including 0 per cent beer, did require ID.
"Export's 0% lager is marketed as a beer and displayed in the beer chiller. We require our customers to show ID to purchase this product because of the real risk of confusion at the checkout."
However, ID was not required for Lindauer's non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice at New World or Pak N Save supermarkets, which are owned by Foodstuffs.
"Sparkling grape juice is a product that is familiar to our customers as a non-alcoholic choice."
A Countdown shopper was unable to buy the juice after 11pm earlier this year as it was outside the supermarket's permitted alcohol sale hours.
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Another shopper was denied from buying non-alcoholic sparkling wine from a Countdown supermarket earlier this year. (Photo / 123rf)
Non alcoholic beer and wine were sold as an alcohol alternative, Countdown's spokesman said.
"We don't feel it's appropriate for these products to be on the shelves with water or juice.
"Any products tagged as beer or wine require ID."
If the team didn't follow the law, or made a mistake, the company could be charged.
Pakuranga's Highland Park Shopping Centre Countdown was caught out in a police sting this year and the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority has applied to suspect the store's off-licence suspended.
The case will be before the courts early next year.
"It's really disappointing when something like this happens, and we have rigorous processes in place to make sure we get things right," Countdown's spokesman said.
"All our team who authorise the sale of liquor must complete full training on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. In addition they must complete refresher training every year."
Police declined to comment about the case as the matter was now before the court.
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