Request to re-implement standard marketing rules for edible oils

25-Jun-2025 04:00 PM

Mumbai. The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), a key body representing the indigenous edible oil industry and trade, has urged the government to reinstate the standard marketing rules for edible oils to safeguard consumer interests.

According to the association, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, previously included Schedule 2, which specified standard weights and measures for packaging certain products. However, this schedule was removed following an amendment in 2022.

Since the removal of Schedule 2, edible oil packers have had the freedom to determine their own pack sizes, leading to inconsistent pricing and confusion among consumers.

The market has seen a surge in irregular pack sizes such as 800 grams, 810 grams, and 870 grams. These packages appear similar in size but contain less oil than standard packs, and often do not clearly display the actual quantity, making it difficult for consumers to compare prices accurately—especially as edible oils are generally sold below the maximum retail price (MRP).

The SEA argues that this situation has led to unfair competition in the market, allowing some sellers to mislead consumers through non-standard packaging and pricing strategies. This practice not only harms consumers but also disrupts the integrity of the edible oil trade.

Reinstating Schedule 2, the association claims, would eliminate these issues by requiring all edible oil packers to adhere to standard quantities.

This would ensure uniformity across product sizes, make pricing more transparent, and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

The SEA believes that such a move would restore fairness in the market and provide relief to both the industry and the public. The association has urged the government to seriously consider reintroducing Schedule 2 into the rules.