India Considers Standardizing Edible Oil Packet Sizes to Aid Consumer Comparison

In a move to end the confusion of price to quantity printed on edible oil packets, govt is looking to bring uniformity. Against the current practice of manufacturers mentioning packet sizes such as 650, 700, 810, 850 and 870 grams, the new norm would be 200 ml, 500 ml, 1-5 litres, 15 litres or kg and 20 litres or 20 kg. The consumer affairs department said it is examining the possibility to introduce standard pack sizes for edible oils under the legal metrology framework following suggestions received from major industry bodies representing around 90% of the industry players. It added a meeting chaired by secretary Nidhi Khare with representatives of major edible oil industry associations took note of concerns regarding the increasing number of package sizes available in the market and the resulting difficulties faced by consumers in comparing prices. The department said there was a consensus among industry associations to introduce standard pack sizes for major edible oils. They suggested packs below 200 ml may continue to remain outside the scope of standardisation to ensure availability of affordable small packs.