Why this photo at a Woolworths checkout has Aussies fuming: 'Getting out of hand'

A Woolworths shopper was left fuming after he paid almost $20 for just three items.

The customer bought a single truss tomato, two-litre milk and 680g chicken thigh fillets at a store at Brentford Square, in Melbourne's east, on Monday. 

He uploaded a picture to Reddit yesterday after he sent the image and the cost of the groceries to his shocked partner. 

'$19 worth of food,' he wrote alongside the post. 

The customer, who wished to remain anonymous said he paid $11.90 for the chicken, $5.80 for the milk and $1.28 for the tomato. 

'I just thought it was a bit absurd, looking at the items I got versus the cost,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 

'I wasn't looking for the cheapest and most efficient things otherwise I would have done a larger shop.'  

He said he spends around up to $150 on his weekly shop for himself and his partner. 

The couple usually shop at Coles and Woolworths, but they are now starting to buy their groceries at other retailers such as Aldi and butcher shops. 

Social media users blasted the overall cost of the haul with many stunned by how the expensive price tag of the chicken.

'This is the smaller pack which is hideously expensive,' one wrote. 

'Can't believe chicken becomes unaffordable nowadays,' another added. 

'Getting out of hand. A four pack of chicken thighs used to cost me $3 for 6,' a third wrote. 

Others fumed at the major supermarkets as Australians struggle with rising inflation.

'Didn't realise fresh milk was a premium product now,' one wrote. 

'S*** is getting out of hand,' another chimed in.

A Woolworths spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the supermarket works hard to provide value for customers.

'It's important to note that lactose free milk is more expensive than regular milk due to the additional processing required to remove the natural lactose,' she said. 

'The tray of RSPCA approved chicken fillets contains several servings which could make for a family meal or be enjoyed over a couple of days.'