India has ordered cooking oil makers and importers to sell their products only ​in a fixed set of pack sizes, ‌a move the government said on Saturday would help shoppers compare prices across brands more easily.

The order ​targets a common pricing tactic in the ​world's most populous nation, where oils sold ⁠in odd, non-standard sizes leave buyers unable to ​tell which brand offers the best value for ​a kitchen staple.

Packaging will be limited to nine standard sizes ranging from 200 millilitres to ​20 litres, replacing the varied volumes currently ​available.

The rules apply to both domestically produced 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.

Packages that ​declare their contents ​by ⁠volume must also state the equivalent weight, a step the government said ​would further aid price comparison.

Containers smaller ​than 200 ⁠millilitres and minor edible oils have been exempted to keep affordable small packs on shelves.

The decision ⁠followed ​consultations with industry associations ​representing nearly 90% of India's edible oil sector, the Department of ​Consumer Affairs said.


-Reuters