Household staple that's stopping your groceries from being delivered

When Sarah from Melbourne placed her usual online grocery order expecting it to arrive while she was out at her book club, she was puzzled by an unexpected message: 'Order cannot be left unattended due to restricted items.'

All she'd ordered was the usual—flour, sugar, eggs, and a bottle of vanilla extract to try a new recipe her granddaughter had shared.

Little did Sarah know, she'd stumbled upon one of the more surprising quirks of modern grocery delivery that's catching many Australian shoppers off guard.

The vanilla mystery unveiled

Restricted products are defined by Woolworths as items 'subject to certain restrictions (for example, age restrictions) on its sale by a relevant law, such as Products containing liquor, tobacco or sharp objects.'

While most of us would expect alcohol, cigarettes, and sharp knives to require a signature, vanilla extract rarely makes the mental list.

The culprit? Many vanilla extracts contain between 10 and 35 per cent alcohol—that's stronger than some wines!

This alcohol content is what gives natural vanilla extract its rich, authentic flavour, as vanilla beans are steeped in alcohol and water to draw out their essence.

The confusion often stems from the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence. Vanilla essence is synthetic, alcohol-free, and considerably cheaper—usually around $2-3 compared to extract's $8-12.

Vanilla extract, however, delivers that authentic flavour bakers rave about, though it comes with delivery complications.

Other surprising household items that need a signature

Vanilla extract isn't the only everyday item that might surprise you at the checkout—or rather, at your front door. Several common household products contain enough alcohol to trigger delivery restrictions:

According to Coles, 'Restricted items like tobacco and alcohol can be added to your order as long as you're of legal age and are able to provide proof of age and sign at delivery.'

This means having someone over 18 available to receive and sign for the delivery.

How the major supermarkets handle restricted items

The policies aren't identical across all major Australian supermarkets, which can add to the confusion for regular online shoppers.

Woolworths takes a strict approach—recurring orders may not include restricted products [3], and someone must be home to sign for delivery. This includes items with alcohol content regardless of the amount.

Coles operates slightly differently, stating on their website that items like vanilla extract and mouthwash with small amounts of alcohol 'remain available for unattended delivery' in many cases, though this can vary by location and specific product.

IGA follows similar restrictions for age-restricted items, though policies may vary between individual stores as they operate independently.

What this means for your grocery routine

For many Australian seniors who've embraced online grocery shopping—particularly since the pandemic—these restrictions require a bit of planning.

Woolworths delivery subscriptions cost $169 per year (with discounts for pensioners), making it worthwhile to understand the system fully.

The key is knowing what triggers these restrictions. If you're planning to be out when groceries arrive, scan your list for:

• Any vanilla extract (check the label—alcohol-free versions are available)
  
• Mouthwash containing alcohol
  
• Cooking wines or spirits
  
• Any medications with alcohol bases
  
• Cleaning products with alcohol

Making online grocery shopping work for you

For those who've discovered the joys of online grocery shopping, these restrictions don't need to derail the convenience. Many Australian families who started online shopping during COVID-19 found it 'much more convenient than going to a supermarket in person' and worth the minor planning adjustments.

Consider keeping alcohol-free alternatives on hand—synthetic vanilla essence works perfectly well for most baking, and alcohol-free mouthwashes are increasingly popular.

For the occasions when you specifically want that premium vanilla extract flavour, just ensure someone's home to sign.

The broader picture of grocery delivery

The growth in grocery delivery has been remarkable. While free delivery requires orders over $300 for Woolworths and $250 for Coles, subscription services make regular deliveries much more affordable.

Woolworths delivers in recyclable paper bags included in subscription fees, while Coles uses plastic bags at 15 cents each - a consideration for environmentally conscious shoppers.

The beauty of online shopping—particularly for those who find physical grocery shopping challenging—far outweighs these minor hiccups.

It just requires a small shift in thinking: from grabbing whatever you need to planning around what needs a signature.

Have you been caught off guard by restricted item policies during grocery delivery? What household products surprised you the most? Share your experiences in the comments below—your story might help fellow shoppers avoid the same delivery day surprises.