New Delhi, May 20th, 2025: The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA), the apex body representing India’s edible oil refining industry, along with other edible oil industry associations, industry bodies, consumer forums, food processing associations and legal metrology controllers of all states and UTs met the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India on the reinstating of standardised pack sizes for edible oils over a virtual call.

The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2021, mandated the declaration of the Unit Sale Price (USP). Subsequently through an amendment, The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2022 omitted Schedule II which mandated commodities to be packed in specific quantities, thus allowing the market to be proliferated with non-standardized packaging. The intended benefit was to allow producers to pack as they deem it fit and it was expected that soon the markets will settle down and consumer awareness of unit selling price will take care of the non-standard pack offerings.

All stakeholders from edible oil sector were of the view that the re-introduction of Schedule II will be an important step to ensure transparency, restore normalcy in the market, and protect consumer interest.

The Government, the association said, has assured the stakeholders that it will look into the issue that has led to confusion and misleading value perception for the consumers. All the concerned stakeholders have been asked to submit final recommendations in this regard.

Standardised packaging ensures that price comparisons are simple, transparent, and fair. It creates a level playing field for both consumers and producers, encouraging trust and long-term brand value.

It may be recalled that in its recommendation to the Ministry last month, IVPA had urged that reinstating standard pack sizes (A range like 5kg, 2kg, 1 kg, 500 grams, 200 grams or any other lower size packs) will be a constructive step toward strengthening the consumer ecosystem while aligning with the Government’s broader goals of transparency, fair trade practices and consumer empowerment.