MUMBAI: Dealing a body blow to the common man's food budget , bread manufacturers have increased the price by an astonishing Rs 3 for a small loaf, and Rs 4 for the large size. Wibs, Britannia and Modern have hiked rates of their 400 gm loaf from Rs 22 to Rs 25 and the 800 gm pack from Rs 44 to Rs 48. Smaller local bakers could follow suit.The hike took effect Saturday August 11.Khodadad Irani of Wibs, who heads the Indian Bakers Association (IBA), did not offer comment about the unprecedented increase. Neither did Aseem Soni , CEO of Modern Foods, which is headquartered in Gurugram.However, two bakers' associations cited the rising price of maida as well as the Maharashtra government's plastic ban as the main causes. "The price of refined flour has increased from Rs 1,150 for a 50-kg bag to Rs 1,300. It is not possible for us to absorb these costs," said Jafar Irani of City Bakery, Worli, who is a member of the IBA. Satyajit Dhargalkar whose father Prasad heads the National Association of Bakery Industries, said one kilo of maida was selling for Rs 26 instead of Rs 18 earlier. "Also using eco friendly plastic at every stage is an expensive proposition."Smaller manufacturers also blame the state's plastic ban, saying that packaging manufacturers packaging are being forced to change their infrastructure and raw material owing to the new guidelines. "They will now have to imprint their names on each pack, and increase the micron thickness," said Aslam Khan of Worli's Gold Star Bakery. "So far packaging remains the same but it will change within a few days. We ourselves have held back so far but may increase rates by a rupee or two."Jafar Irani pointed out, "It is not merely the bread packets. The absence of carry bags is a big problem. Every item was packaged and despatched in carry bags."This record increase will dent the household budget of the average consumer and negatively impact roadside sandwich sellers who use approximately 20-25 loaves a day. The owner of Home Choice store in Lokhandwala Complex said, "Buyers are visibly shocked to see the three rupee hike in a small loaf. So far any increase has been one or two rupees. An average household buys one packet every day."In Vile Parle, Ramesh Mhatre of Lucky Sandwich said, "This increase is too steep for any vendor to absorb, especially the roadside seller. We cannot increase rates lest regular consumers turn away so for now we will have to grin and bear it." Sanjay Naik of Om Sai Sandwich at Mahakali Road, Andheri East, said, "Bread prices are rising every year and the middle class consumer is bearing the brunt. What else should a passerby or commuter eat?"