India sets standard pack sizes for cooking oils to help shoppers compare prices

India has ordered cooking oil makers and importers to sell their products only in a fixed set of pack sizes, ‌a move the government said on Saturday would help shoppers compare prices across brands more easily.

The order targets a common pricing tactic in the world's most populous nation, where oils sold ⁠in odd, non-standard sizes leave buyers unable to tell which brand offers the best value for a kitchen staple.

Here are the details:

• Packaging will be limited to nine standard sizes ranging from 200ml to 20 litres, replacing the varied volumes currently available.
• The rules apply to both domestically produced and imported edible ‌oils, ⁠and cover major varieties including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard and groundnut.
• Companies have been given three months to switch to the new sizes.
• Packages that declare their contents by ⁠volume must also state the equivalent weight, a step the government said would further aid price comparison.
• Containers smaller than 200ml and minor edible oils have been exempted to keep affordable small packs on shelves.
• The decision ⁠followed consultations with industry associations representing nearly 90 percent of India's edible oil sector, the Department of Consumer Affairs said.