India mandates standard edible oil pack sizes

The Indian government has mandated that all major edible oils must be sold in nine standardized package sizes, a move officials say is designed to help consumers easily compare prices across different brands. The new regulations, announced by the Department of Consumer Affairs, will phase out a proliferation of non-standard sizes that have appeared on retail shelves in recent years.

Under the revised rules, edible oils can only be sold in packs of 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, 2 litres, 3 litres, 4 litres, 5 litres, 15 litres, and 20 litres, or their equivalent weights in grams and kilograms. The norms apply to a wide range of oils including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard, groundnut, sesame, rice bran, cottonseed, and corn oil, as well as their blends. Manufacturers, packers, and importers have been given a three-month transition period to comply, though they may adopt the new standards immediately.

A key provision requires that if a product's quantity is declared in volume, the packaging must also clearly state the equivalent weight. This aims to improve transparency for shoppers. Packages smaller than 200 ml or 200 grams are exempt from the standard size requirement to ensure...