Government Mandates Standardized Packaging for Cooking Oils to Enhance Price Transparency
Department of Consumer Affairs Prescribes Standard Pack Sizes for Edible Oils
The Department of Consumer Affairs has taken a significant step towards consumer protection by prescribing standard pack sizes for edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework. This move aims to enable consumers to compare prices across brands and make informed purchasing decisions.
The department has amended its Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for determination of net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats, providing manufacturers, packers, and importers with a three-month transition period to comply with the new norms. The revised SoP prescribes nine standard pack sizes for major edible oils, including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard, groundnut, sesame, rice bran, cottonseed, and corn oil, as well as blended edible oils.
The standard pack sizes are as follows:
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| Pack Size | Volume/Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 | 200 ml/g |
| 2 | 500 ml/g |
| 3 | 1 litre/kg |
| 4 | 2 litre/kg |
| 5 | 3 litre/kg |
| 6 | 4 litre/kg |
| 7 | 5 litre/kg |
| 8 | 15 litre/kg |
| 9 | 20 litre/kg |
The decision follows extensive consultations with major edible oil industry associations, representing nearly 90 percent of the country's edible oil sector. Under the new norms, if the quantity of edible oil is shown in volume, the package must also clearly mention the equivalent weight as per the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
The provisions will apply to both domestically manufactured and imported edible oils. However, packages below 200 ml or 200 grams and minor edible oils have been exempted from the standard pack size requirement to ensure continued availability of affordable small packs. Businesses wishing to adopt the standard pack sizes ahead of the deadline may do so immediately.
The move has been welcomed by Sudhakar Desai, President of the Indian Vegetable oil Producers' Association (IVPA), who stated that it will restore structural sanity to retail shelves and level the playing field.
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