India examines possibility of standard pack sizes for edible oils to allow price comparison

The Department of Consumer Affairs is examining the possibility of introducing standard pack sizes for edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework, following suggestions received from major industry associations representing around 90% of the country's edible oil sector.

In a meeting with representatives of major edible oil industry associations, concerns were discussed regarding the increasing number of package sizes available in the market and the resulting difficulties faced by consumers in comparing prices across products. Representatives from the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA), Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA), Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT), and Mustard Oil Producers Association (MOPA) participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, industry representatives pointed out that edible oils are currently sold in several package sizes, such as 650 g, 700 g, 810 g, 850 g, and 870 g. They stated that similar-looking packs with different quantities could make it difficult and potentially misleading for consumers to compare prices and make informed purchasing decisions. The Department and industry representatives jointly discussed the introduction of standard pack sizes for major edible oils.

The pack sizes suggested by the associations are:

200 ml
500 ml
1 litre

2 litres
3 litres
4 litres
5 litres
15 litres/15 kg
20 litres/20 kg

The associations also requested that the following major edible oils be covered under the proposed standardisation:

Palm oil/Palmolein
Soybean oil
Sunflower oil
Mustard/Rapeseed oil
Groundnut oil
Sesame oil
Rice bran oil
Cottonseed oil
Corn oil
Blended edible oils

Suggestions made by the associations include:

Packs below 200 ml may continue to remain outside the scope of standardisation to ensure the continued availability of affordable small packs for consumers.

Minor edible oils may remain exempt from the proposed requirement.
A transition period of approximately three months may be provided to enable manufacturers to make the necessary adjustments.

Manufacturers willing to adopt the proposed pack sizes earlier may be permitted to do so.

It was clarified during the meeting that any such requirement, if introduced, would apply equally to both domestically manufactured and imported edible oils.