Key Highlights
- Government considering standardization of edible oil pack sizes.
- Targets non-standard packaging formats like 850ml, 875ml, 900ml and 950ml.
- Aims to improve price transparency for consumers.
- Will make per-litre price comparison easier across brands.
- Industry supports the move for fair competition.
- Expected to reduce packaging complexity and plastic waste.
- Aligns with consumer protection and sustainability goals.
- Formal notification from the government is awaited.
The Government of India is preparing to introduce new norms to standardize edible oil packaging sizes, a move aimed at enhancing consumer transparency, simplifying price comparisons, and promoting fair competition within the edible oil industry.
The proposal seeks to address the increasing use of non-standard pack sizes such as 850 ml, 875 ml, 900 ml, and 950 ml, which industry experts say often make it difficult for consumers to compare product prices accurately on a per-litre basis.
Industry leaders have welcomed the initiative, stating that standardized packaging will help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and ensure competition is based on product quality, purity, and value rather than packaging strategies.
According to industry stakeholders, standardization could also support sustainability efforts by reducing the need for multiple bottle moulds, labels, and packaging formats, thereby lowering plastic consumption and supply-chain complexity.
Vivek Puri, Managing Director of Puri Oil Mills Ltd. (P Mark Mustard Oil), said that consumers deserve transparent and comparable pricing, and that standardized pack sizes would strengthen trust in packaged edible oils while creating a level playing field for all manufacturers.
The proposed reform aligns with the government’s broader focus on:
- Consumer protection
- Transparent labeling
- Fair market practices
- Sustainable packaging solutions
While the government has not yet issued a formal notification, industry observers believe the move could become one of the most significant consumer-focused reforms in India’s edible oil sector.
