Our Bureau
New Delhi
In a move aimed at protecting consumers and making price comparisons easier, the Centre has mandated standard pack sizes for edible oils sold across the country. The new rules, announced by the Department of Consumer Affairs, require manufacturers, importers and packers to sell cooking oils only in prescribed quantities, giving them a three-month period to comply with the norms.
Under the revised framework, edible oils will be available 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 regulation covers major cooking oils such as palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard, groundnut, sesame, rice bran and cottonseed oils, along with blended edible oils.
The decision seeks to address growing concerns over the use of irregular pack sizes such as 650 gm, 810 gm or 870 gm, which often make it difficult for shoppers to determine the actual value of products. Officials believe standardisation will enable consumers to compare prices more effectively and make informed purchasing decisions.
The move follows consultations with industry associations representing nearly 90 per cent of India’s edible oil sector. Industry bodies had urged the government to restore uniform packaging norms, arguing that non-standard sizes were creating confusion among buyers and distorting fair competition in the market.
Additionally, products that display quantity by volume will also be required to mention the equivalent weight, further improving transparency. However, packs smaller than 200 ml and certain minor edible oils have been exempted to ensure affordable options remain available to consumers.
