SINGAPORE: A shopper at a FairPrice supermarket told Channel NewAsia he was not allowed to buy more than three packets of rice. FairPrice said the restriction is to protect consumer interest.

The supermarket chain is discouraging consumers from buying more than five 10-kilogramme packets of rice per shopping trip. The restriction is to prevent traders from taking advantage of the low price.

FairPrice said it offers one of the most competitive prices and has re-assured consumers that the supply of rice is adequate.

It also said most consumers should not be affected by the restriction. This is because most families take a while to finish a 10-kilogramme bag of rice.

Other major supermarkets - such as Sheng Siong, Cold Storage and Giant - have no such restriction.

The supermarkets have also said that the prices have stabilised and the rush to buy rice has also eased. - CNA/vm