CHESTERFIELD, MO. — AB Mauri Fleischmann’s on July 11 said it was raising U.S. and Canadian prices on propionate products, chemical leaveners and certain other bakery ingredients. The price hikes are effective Aug. 15 or as contracts expire.

Explaining the price increase, the company cited higher costs for transportation, packaging, propionic acid, phosphates, corn starch and other materials.

For calcium and sodium propionate, the price increase will be 5c per lb, while changes in other bakery ingredients will vary based on input cost changes.

“Our year-over-year cost increases have significantly outpaced pricing to our customers,” said Greg Strauss, vice-president of sales and business development, AB Mauri Fleischmann’s. “Like other ingredient manufacturers before us, it is imperative for the health of our business to address these impacts.”