Edible Oil Pack Sizes Confusion Could Be Draining Your Wallet

Confusion around edible oil pack sizes has sparked fresh concern, with industry body Soybean Processors Association of India urging the government to step in.

The issue stems from the removal of standardized packaging norms in January 2023, which allowed companies to sell edible oils in flexible quantities. What was meant to give brands more freedom has now turned into a growing consumer trust problem.

Today, the edible oil pack sizes on store shelves vary widely, with unusual quantities like 850 ml, 910 ml, or 435 ml replacing traditional one-liter packs.

Many of these packs look nearly identical, making it difficult for buyers to notice the difference at a glance. As a result, shoppers often assume they are getting better value, even when the price per liter is higher.

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SOPA has flagged that this shift is creating a misleading marketplace. Consumers are struggling to compare prices effectively, while companies that stick to clear and standard packaging are losing ground. The industry body has warned that this trend is pushing even responsible brands to adopt confusing pack sizes just to stay competitive.

Although unit pricing is technically available, it is often printed in small fonts and goes unnoticed by most buyers. This weakens its role as a safeguard against deceptive pricing. According to SOPA, the current situation risks normalizing practices that blur transparency and fairness.

To address the issue, SOPA has called on the government to reinstate standardized pack sizes and introduce a transition period for companies. The goal is to restore clarity in pricing and rebuild consumer confidence, which has been steadily eroding amid the ongoing packaging chaos.