Center weighs standard package sizes of cooking oils to improve price transparency

New Delhi: The government is considering bringing back standard package sizes for edible oils after industry bodies pointed out the proliferation of non-uniform packaging that has made it difficult for consumers to compare prices.

According to a statement on Monday, the consumer affairs ministry is reviewing a proposal to standardize edible oil pack sizes after consulting industry associations representing nearly 90% of the industry.

The move aims to improve price transparency and make it easier for consumers to compare prices across brands and products.

The matter was discussed at a stakeholder meeting chaired by the Consumer Affairs Secretary on May 20 with representatives from the Vegetable Oil Producers Association of India, Solvent Extractors Association of India, Soybean Processors Association of India, Central Organization of Petroleum Industry and Trade and Mustard Oil Producers Association.

On 22 May 2025, Mint reported on the government’s plan to restore standard pack sizes for edible oil.

Industry bodies told the government that edible oils are sold in packs such as 650 grams, 700 grams, 810 grams, 850 grams and 870 grams, which often look similar, making it difficult for consumers to compare prices.

The association proposed introducing standard pack sizes of 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre, 5 litre, 15 litre/15 kg and 20 litre/20 kg for major edible oils, including palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil, corn bran oil, groundnut oil and blended edible oils.

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Industry bodies have also proposed that packs below 200ml remain outside the scope of standardization to ensure continued availability of affordable small packs.

The move would mark a shift from the earlier relaxation of packaging standards. When the packaging rules were changed in 2021, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules mandated that the Unit Selling Price (USP) be displayed on all packaged goods to make it easier for consumers to compare prices. Following this, the 2022 amendment went a step further by removing Schedule II, which previously required certain essential commodities, including edible oils, to be sold only in standard quantities.

This shift has given manufacturers the freedom to choose pack sizes as per their convenience, leading to the proliferation of non-standard packs in the market.

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“We are examining the suggestions received during the consultation process and are considering the proposal as part of efforts to improve transparency, facilitate informed consumer choice and promote fair trade practices in the edible oil market,” the statement said.

“Minor edible oils could also remain exempt, while manufacturers may be given a transition period of around three months to implement the proposed changes,” he said.

The government has clarified that if any standardization norms are introduced, they will apply equally to domestic as well as imported edible oils.

The move comes as consumption of edible oil continues to rise in India. Consumption rose from 24.6 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 28.9 million tonnes in 2022-23, while imports rose 3% to 16.6 million tonnes in 2025-26, according to data from the Solvent Extractors Association of India.

According to NITI Aayog’s Edible Oils Report 2024, per capita consumption of edible oil in India has risen sharply in recent decades to nearly 19.7 kg per person per year from 8–9 kg in the early 2000s.

India’s edible oil market, valued at $4.39 billion in 2024, is expected to reach $6.49 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.79%, according to TechSci Research.

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