Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' and specific price survey on canned foods dated 15th September. Prices of rice were stable and cooking oil tended to increase in price. Significant price differences were observed in 'Ma Ling Premium Ham Luncheon Meat (340g)', which had a difference of almost 60 per cent in price; selling prices of 'Johnson's Baby Powder (500g)' and 'Cool Distilled Water (750ml)' in different outlets also varied more than double respectively. Among over 260 surveyed product samples in the current 'Supermarket Price Survey', 95 samples, mainly cooking oil and canned foods, recorded increase in prices and over half of the total items recorded no change or decrease in prices. Average prices of 16 out of the 22 surveyed cooking oil samples had risen by 0.1 to 8 per cent. For canned foods, 'Campbells' Cream of Chicken (305g)', which showed significant price increase in the previous survey, now recorded an average price drop of 14 per cent. Price increases of around 0.5 to 18 per cent were also observed in other canned food brands, 'Ma Ling Premium Ham Luncheon Meat (340g)' had increased notably in price for up to 30 per cent in both the supermarket and specific price survey. Price discrepancies were noted in many retail outlets selling the same brand of products, consumers are therefore advised to check with the various reports available online on Consumer Council's website. Top on the list of products with the most price differences was 'Johnson's Baby Powder (500g)', with a price difference of over 130 per cent, followed by 'Cool Distilled Water (750ml)', with a price difference of 109 per cent. Both 'Supermarket Price Survey' and specific price survey report on canned foods are now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). Reports are also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315
