In a move aimed at improving transparency for shoppers, the Department of Consumer Affairs has prescribed standard pack sizes for edible oils and blended edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework, making it easier for consumers to compare prices and assess value across brands.
The Department announced the decision on Saturday, saying the initiative addresses the growing practice of selling edible oils in varied package sizes, which often makes direct price comparisons difficult.
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for determining net quantity and standard pack sizes was finalised after consultations with industry bodies representing nearly 90 percent of India’s edible oil sector.
The ministry said the reform is intended to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.
Under the new framework, standard pack sizes have been prescribed for major edible oils and blended edible oils, including palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, mustard or rapeseed oil, groundnut oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil, and corn oil.
The approved pack sizes will be:
- 200 ml/g
- 500 ml/g
- 1 litre/kg
- 2 litre/kg
- 3 litre/kg
- 4 litre/kg
- 5 litre/kg
- 15 litre/kg
- 20 litre/kg
The ministry said these standardised quantities will enable consumers to compare prices more easily across different brands and identify better value for money.
Another key change relates to product labelling. Edible oil packages displaying quantity in litres or millilitres will now also be required to mention the equivalent weight, providing consumers with greater clarity about the actual quantity being purchased.
The Department said this dual declaration of volume and corresponding weight is intended to improve transparency in the marketplace.
The revised norms will apply to both domestically produced and imported edible oils. However, packages below 200 ml or 200 grams have been exempted from the standardisation requirement to ensure that affordable small-pack options remain available to consumers.
Minor edible oils have also been excluded from the new pack-size norms. Manufacturers, importers, and packers have been given a three-month transition period to comply with the revised rules.
The Department added that companies wishing to adopt the standard pack sizes before the deadline are free to do so immediately.
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, the reform is part of its broader efforts to safeguard consumer interests by promoting transparency, fairness, and greater confidence in purchasing decisions.
