JEDDAH: Raids on businesses would continue to prevent unscrupulous traders from raising the prices of rice, flour, milk and other products, an official from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said recently.

Abdulelah bin Mushayt, director of the ministry’s branch in Makkah, rejected reports that the ministry was acting on the basis of suspicions and targeting honest businesspeople. All operations were aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring transparency and fair competition, he said.

The official said the ministry was raiding retail outlets and warehouses to uncover violations, which mostly involve forged labeling, rotten commodities, fake goods, and other issues.

He said the ministry believes that most traders are honest but have to conduct these operations to protect consumers against those who are not.