The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched islandwide market inspections and raids following reports of an increase in the price of a kilogram of wheat flour.According to the CAA, although media reports indicate that the price of wheat flour has increased, the relevant manufacturing companies have neither held prior discussions with nor informed the CAA of such a price increase.

Wheat flour has been designated as a specified commodity under Section 18 of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003. Accordingly, prior written approval from the Authority is required before increasing the price of such a commodity.The relevant manufacturing companies have already been requested to provide explanations for the wheat flour price increase and details of the price revision.Further action will be determined after considering the explanations provided by the manufacturing companies and the findings of the ongoing investigations. Legal action will be taken against traders found selling wheat flour in violation of applicable laws, as well as against manufacturers and distributors if investigations establish legal violations