(We Chinese in America Media Editor Tang Zhao, January 30, 2022) Kraft Heinz raised wholesale prices starting in March. (Photo from Reuters).

Packaged food giant Kraft Heinz has warned distributors of imminent price hikes on some of its most popular items as inflation continues to weigh on overall household goods.

The company warned in a letter to wholesale suppliers this week that it was preparing to raise prices on a variety of consumer staples starting in March.

For example, 12-ounce Velveeta Fresh Packs are up 6.6% and three-packs of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon are up 30%.

Meanwhile, the company's cold cuts and beef hot dogs will rise about 10%, coffee will rise 5%, and some Kool-Aid and Capri Sun beverages will rise about 20%, the letter said.

A Kraft Heinz spokesman said in a statement, "Due to persistent and unprecedented global supply shortages, coupled with other extreme inflationary pressures in raw materials, labor and transportation, we are forced to take action to offset the escalating escalation. cost pressure.” "We're not the only ones raising prices, but the industry as a whole is facing the same challenges," he said.

The spokesman stressed that the price increases "are not for all products, but only for those with the greatest cost pressure."

The company noted that it only sets prices for wholesale customers, and that retailers have complete discretion over what prices they want to sell.

The spokesman also said Kraft Heinz was taking other steps to "fight inflation," including adding larger-size packaging and offering some more affordable price points.

Rising raw material costs, coupled with labor shortages and ongoing supply chain disruptions, have forced many businesses to raise prices for consumers.

Poline plans to raise prices by 8 percent in February for Tide and Gain laundry detergent, Downy fabric softener and Bounce de-static paper.

Meanwhile, Domino's will cut its $7.99 takeaway pizza from 10 to 8 pieces as it faces an "unprecedented surge" in food costs.

Little Caesar's raised the price of its iconic $5 Hot-N-Ready pizza to $5.55, up 11 per cent and the first increase in nearly 25 years. However, the company said it would offer 33 percent more pepperoni.

(Source: Compiled from Online Information)