Canned mutton products that were previously difficult to find on supermarket shelves have returned to stores, but consumers are now paying higher prices for them.
The issue was first raised by the Consumer Council, which expressed concern over shortages of some canned mutton products and the lack of lower-cost options for consumers.
CEO Seema Shandil says the suppliers informed the Council they were waiting for a decision from the FCCC on a requested price increase. However, she stressed that this should not have prevented the products from being available on supermarket shelves.
The Council also raised concerns that some price-controlled and lower-cost goods were unavailable, forcing consumers to buy more expensive alternatives.
Since then, the canned mutton products have returned to stores, with prices increasing from around $5 a can to more than $6.
Questions were sent to the FCCC on Saturday regarding both the earlier shortages and the recent price increase. The Commission is yet to respond.
