Cooking oils: India sets standard packing
Bengaluru: India has ordered cooking oil โmakers and importers โto sell their products only in โa fixed set of pack sizes, a move the government said on Saturday would help shoppers compare prices โacross brands โ more โ easily.The order targets a common pricing tactic in the โworld's most populous nation, where oils sold in odd, โnon-standard sizes leave buyers unable to tell which brand offers the best value for a โkitchen staple.Read more: Consumer sector beats expectations but faces commodity crunch from Q2, warns BofA SecuritiesHere are the details:โ Packaging will โbe limited to nine standard โsizes โranging from 200 millilitres to 20 โ litres, replacing the varied volumes currently available.โThe rules apply to both domestically โproduced 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.131552264Packages โthat declare their contents by volume must also state the equivalent weight, โa step โthe government โ said would further aid price comparison.Containers smaller than 200 millilitres and minor edible oils have been โexempted to keep affordable small packs on shelves.Read more: RBI says 4% inflation target not in abeyance; future rate action tied to price persistenceThe decision followed consultations with industry associations representing nearly 90% of India's edible oil sector, the Department of Consumer Affairs said.