A `control a woman' toy that looks like a TV remote control has caused outrage in Melbourne, with a woman complaining it has buttons a man may press to seek 'beer, sex or food'.

Katie Robertson spotted the toy at a Borders book store being sold for $14.99, ABC News reported Tuesday.

'There are certain buttons there. For example, the male may decide that he wants beer, sex or food. He may press a button in which he requires the woman to remove her clothes, cook, clean, leave, (or) say yes.'

'There's also a button in which you can increase her breast size,' Robertson told ABC Radio.

She said that she was troubled by the item 'mainly because it encourages a stereotype of women as submissive, who are to be controlled'.

Lauren Thompson of Borders said the item was intended as a joke.

She pointed out they were also retailing a 'control a man' remote that had sold out.

'All I can say in its defence is that it is base level humour.

'But it's meant to be a bit funny, a bit of a gimmick, something you might buy for your best mate before a stag night or a hens night,' Lauren was quoted as saying.