In response to the sharp criticism in the political establishment agains the increase in price of subsidized bread set for next week, the director of pricing in the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry said Monday that the bread price increase was requested by the large bakeries in Israel. It is they who are responsible for buying raw materials, and, he said, they complained that they were already losing money on the bread in question, even if they received subsidies for it.

According to their arrangement with the government, the official said, the bakeries have a right to ask for an increase.