Spectre of food rationing hits US

The spectre of food rationing arose in America today as retailers began imposing limits on rice and flour sales following bulk purchases by customers alarmed by rocketing global prices for staple foods.

Wal-Mart’s cash-and-carry division, Sam’s Club, announced that it would only sell a maximum of four bags of rice per person to prevent supplies from running short.

Its decision followed sporadic caps placed on purchases of rice and flour by certain store managers at a rival bulk chain, Costco, in parts of California.

Guardian