PETALING JAYA: The domestic trade and cost of living ministry has given Gardenia six days to explain why it is raising the prices for selected products, including its Twiggies, from Oct 1.
Deputy minister Fuziah Salleh said the ministry had issued a letter to the major bread producer yesterday.
“In the letter, we have asked them to justify (the price hike) because an increase in price is normally due to the cost of production, cost of transportation and so on.
“(Based on their response), we will see if the price hike could be considered profiteering,” she told FMT.
Fuziah added that the matter would be investigated under the Price Control Act and the Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 if elements of profiteering were found.
On Tuesday, Gardenia confirmed a new price list for 30 of its products. However, the prices of its Original Classic white bread, wholemeal bread and Toast‘em bread series will remain unchanged.
Beginning Oct 1, the price of Gardenia Fluffy Buns 280gm will increase to RM4.20 (up 67 sen), Gardenia Puazz! 90gm will cost RM2.60 (up 52 sen), Gardenia Quickbites 50gm will increase to RM1.20 (up 20 sen) and Gardenia Double Choc Muffins 70gm will cost RM2.30 (up 42 sen).
Meanwhile, Gardenia Twiggies 76gm will increase to RM2.10 (up 36 sen), Gardenia Squiggles 50gm will cost RM1.60 (up 32 sen), Gardenia Sandwich Bread Rolls 240gm will cost RM3 (up 51 sen), Gardenia Toast’em Waffles 42gm will increase to RM1.60 (up 29 sen) and Gardenia Auntie Rosie’s Kaya 200gm will cost RM3.80 (up 62 sen).
This also affects Gardenia NuMee 450gm which will increase to RM2 (up 37 sen) and Gardenia NuMee Keluarga 900gm which will cost RM3.20 (up 64 sen).
