Shoppers heading to supermarkets in the coming weeks are being urged to watch for illegal price increases on nine essential food items, as authorities step up inspections ahead of Ramadan.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said it will continue monitoring retailers across the country to ensure compliance with its 2022 Pricing Policy for Essential Consumer Goods. The policy prohibits raising the prices of nine staple items without prior approval from the Ministry or relevant authorities.
The protected items include cooking oils, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread and wheat. Retailers found increasing prices without approval face immediate action. Inspectors can halt the sale of the affected product until the price is corrected.
Consumers are also being encouraged to report suspected violations. Officials say shoppers can protect themselves by carefully checking shelf prices against the amount scanned at checkout. Retailers are required to display prices clearly in large, bold font and must distinguish regular prices from loyalty card offers to avoid confusion.
Keeping receipts is another way consumers can track changes. Comparing past and current purchase invoices may help identify unexplained increases in the cost of essential goods.
The Ministry handles complaints for all emirates except Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman, which operate separate systems. To file a complaint through the Ministry’s portal, consumers must visit its website, access the eServices section and select “Resolve Consumer Complaints” under Consumer Protection and Commercial Control Services. Required documents include the retailer’s name and branch, a summary of the complaint and a copy of the purchase receipt. Officials noted that complaints submitted without proof of purchase are likely to be dismissed. Most cases are resolved within a week.
In Dubai, complaints can be submitted through the Department of Economy and Tourism’s consumer rights portal at consumerrights.gov.ae or by calling 600 545 5555. Abu Dhabi residents can contact the Government Contact Centre at 800555, email contact@tamm.abudhabi, or visit a Tamm service centre. In Ajman, complaints must be filed through the Department of Economic Development’s website, provided the retailer holds a commercial licence issued in the emirate. Some cases may require a technical report from an accredited body.
Penalties for violations range from written warnings with deadlines for correction to fines starting at Dh500 and reaching up to Dh100,000. Authorities may also temporarily close establishments, with stricter measures applied for repeat or serious offences.
In 2025, the Ministry recorded 7,702 violations nationwide and received 3,167 complaints through its website, resolving nearly 94 per cent of them.
