Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 6: The government on Saturday announced revisions to the standard operating procedure (SOP) governing net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats under the Legal Metrology framework, aimed at improving price transparency and strengthening fair trade practices.

The Department of Consumer Affairs said the move follows extensive consultations with leading edible oil industry associations, which together represent nearly 90 per cent of India’s edible oil market. The revised rules will apply to both domestically produced and imported edible oils.

Officials said the initiative is intended to address the growing variation in package sizes in the market, which often makes it difficult for consumers to compare prices and assess value effectively.

Under the updated guidelines, standard pack sizes have been prescribed for major edible oils, including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard/rapeseed, groundnut, sesame, rice bran, cottonseed and corn oils.

The approved packaging sizes are 200 ml/gram, 500 ml/gram, 1 litre/kg, 2 litre/kg, 3 litre/kg, 4 litre/kg, 5 litre/kg, 15 litre/kg and 20 litre/kg.

The government clarified that packs below 200 ml or 200 grams will remain outside the standardisation framework, ensuring continued availability of small affordable packs for consumers. Minor edible oils have also been exempted from these requirements.

The revised SOP also mandates that if edible oil quantities are declared in volume (litres or millilitres), the equivalent weight must be clearly mentioned on the packaging. The rule will be implemented under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

Officials said the changes are expected to help consumers make clearer price comparisons across brands and improve transparency in the packaged goods market.