The Department of Consumer Affairs has introduced standard packaging sizes for edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework, a move aimed at helping consumers compare prices across brands more easily and make informed purchasing decisions.
According to an official statement, the department has revised its Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for determining net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats. Manufacturers, importers and packers have been given a three-month transition period to comply with the new guidelines.
Nine Standard Pack Sizes Introduced
Under the revised norms, major edible oils will now be sold in nine standard pack sizes: 200 ml/g, 500 ml/g, 1 litre/kg, 2 litre/kg, 3 litre/kg, 4 litre/kg, 5 litre/kg, 15 litre/kg and 20 litre/kg.
The rule applies to widely used edible oils, including palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil and corn oil, as well as blended edible oils.
Decision Taken After Industry Consultation
The department said the decision was made after extensive discussions with leading edible oil industry associations, which collectively represent nearly 90 per cent of the country’s edible oil sector.
Under the new guidelines, if the quantity of edible oil is declared in volume, manufacturers must also clearly mention the equivalent weight on the package in accordance with the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
The provisions will be applicable to both domestically produced and imported edible oils.
Small Packs Exempted
To ensure the continued availability of affordable options for consumers, packages below 200 ml or 200 grams, as well as certain minor edible oils, have been exempted from the standard pack-size requirement.
The department also clarified that businesses willing to adopt the standard pack sizes before the end of the transition period are free to do so immediately.
Industry Welcomes the Move
Sudhakar Desai, President of the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA), welcomed the decision, saying it would bring greater clarity and uniformity to the retail market.
“This move will restore structural sanity to retail shelves and level the playing field,” Desai said.
He added that while the earlier relaxation was intended to give flexibility to the industry, the widespread use of non-standard pack sizes over the past three years had created confusion among consumers and distorted competition in the marketplace.