Customers steamed over rice and matzo shortages

There's a surprise on Southern California supermarket shelves this week. Actually, the surprise is what's missing.  Apparently worldwide jitters about a rice shortage have squeezed supplies at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club, which today imposed a four-bag limit on customer purchases across the region and the nation, according to The Times' Jerry Hirsch.

Some customers at Costco stores in Orange and Los Angeles counties have “come in to buy large quantities" of rice, company executive Mark Maushund told the OC Register's Fast Food Maven. “But, we’re not seeing people come in and want a truckload of rice.”

For some Jews observing Passover this week, the rice shortage is no big deal (some forms of Judaism prohibit eating of rice and some other grains during the holiday). But, many Jews across the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere are asking Where did the matzo go? says the Daily News. 

The cracker, a substitute for bread during Passover, has sold out in some chain supermarkets. Apparently, the decision by Trader Joe's as well as Costco not to stock matzo this year has strained supplies at other retailers.

"None of our stores are carrying it right now," said Jose Ramirez, manager of a Ralphs supermarket in Van Nuys. "Everyone's all out."

Potato pasta anyone?

Photos: AFP/Getty Images & Los Angeles Times