Parliament Question: Mandated Standard Pack Sizes for Major Edible Oils under the Legal Metrology Framework

Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *46 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026 MANDATED STANDARD PACK SIZES FOR MAJOR EDIBLE OILS UNDER THE LEGAL METROLOGY FRAMEWORK *46. SMT. SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH: Will the MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has mandated standard pack sizes for major edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework and provided manufacturers, packers and importers a three-month period for compliance and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government is aware that the proliferation of irregular pack sizes had caused difficulties for consumers in Maharashtra especially in Amravati in comparing prices and led to confusion among buyers and if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of the standard pack sizes prescribed for major edible oils and the mechanism put in place to ensure compliance by manufacturers, packers and importers operating in Maharashtra; (d) the measures taken to monitor violations, prevent misleading packaging practices and protect consumers in the State; and (e) whether the Government proposes to conduct awareness campaigns and strengthen enforcement through Legal Metrology authorities in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI) (a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ****STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*46 FOR 22.07.2026 REGARDING MANDATED STANDARD PACK SIZES FOR MAJOR EDIBLE OILS UNDER THE LEGAL METROLOGY FRAMEWORK. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) to (e) : The Department of Consumer Affairs after examining representations and suggestions received from stakeholders & industry associations and with a view to promoting consumer clarity, transparency and ease of price comparison, vide letter dated 05.06.2026 has prescribed standard pack sizes for major edible oils namely palm oil or palmolein, soybean oil, sunflower oil, mustard/ rapeseed oil, groundnut oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil and their blends, as follows: S. No. Package Size Applicability (a) Below 200 g or 200 ml No restriction 200 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg, 4 kg, 5 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg. If net quantity is declared by volume then 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 Standard packaging (b) litre, 2 litre, 3 litre, 4 litre, 5 litre, 15 litre, 20 litre and the net applicable quantity must be declared by weight also in the same size of letters/ numerals. Minor edible oils (other than those mentioned above) have been exempted from the standard pack size requirement. To facilitate Ease of Doing Business and bringing greater uniformity in package sizes, the Department has prescribed standard pack sizes for edible oils and provided a transition period of three months from the date of issue of the amendment for manufacturers, packers and importers to comply with the revised provisions. However, such packages including those mentioned above, shall continue to comply with applicable provisions relating to declaration of Unit Sale Price (USP) under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. The Controllers of Legal Metrology Department of all States/ UTs including Maharashtra have been directed to ensure effective implementation of the provisions pertaining to standard pack sizes. The provision of declaration of unit sale price on the existing packages of the edible oils remain mandatory thereby enabling consumers to make an informed choice by making comparison of unit sale prices among the products. However, as informed by Government of Maharashtra, no complaint regarding irregular pack sizes in Amravati region of Maharashtra has been received. The enforcement of the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the rules made there under rests with the State Legal Metrology Departments. Therefore, the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 are enforced by the Legal Metrology authorities of the States and Union Territories through inspections and other enforcement measures. In case of any misleading/ deceptive packs found, the State Legal Metrology Departments are empowered to take appropriate action as per Rule 23 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, which provides that if a package's declared quantity is correct but the package is designed in a way that misleads consumers into thinking it contains more than it actually does, the State Legal Metrology Department can direct the manufacturer or packer to repack and re-label it properly, failing which the packages may be seized and appropriate penal provision for violation of provision of Legal Metrology Act/ Rules may be initiated.The State Government of Maharashtra has informed that the State Legal Metrology Organisation undertakes regular market inspection, surveillance activities, surprise checks and verification of packaged commodities to monitor violations and prevent misleading packaging practices. The State Government of Maharashtra has further informed that on World Consumer Rights Day and National Consumer Day and on different festivals/occasions rigorous campaign/canvasing regarding the consumers rights and the provision of Legal Metrology are carried out by the Legal Metrology Department of Maharashtra State. The Government has created awareness among consumers and stakeholders regarding the prescribed standard pack sizes and declaration requirements through public awareness programmes, and interaction with trade associations. The awareness are carried out through different platforms like social media, news, press note, etc. Enforcement activities through Legal Metrology authorities in Maharashtra shall continue to be strengthened through regular inspections, capacity building of field officers and intensified market surveillance for effective implementation of the said advisory. *****