The Silent Shrink: How Cooking Oil Brands Use Tricky Pack Sizes to Confuse Buyers

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In Indian kitchens, most of us instinctively reach for that familiar-looking 1-litre pouch of cooking oil, expecting exactly one litre inside. However, many popular cooking oil brands now sell their products in pouches that look very similar to the standard 1-litre size, but actually contain slightly less oil — often 850 ml, 900 ml, or 950 ml.

Some brands use tall, slim bottles to create a visual illusion and make 850g of oil look identical to a 1L bottle on a crowded supermarket shelf.

This is psychological pricing in action. Consumers are very sensitive to a price jump from say ₹145 to ₹160. They are much less sensitive to the weight dropping from 910g to 850g if the price stays at ₹145.

This practice, sometimes called “shrinkflation” or “non-standard sizing,” has become increasingly common in recent years. While the pack design, shape, and branding make the pouch appear almost identical to a full 1-litre pack, the actual volume printed on the label is smaller. For the average buyer, it can be easy to miss this difference at first glance, especially when shopping in a hurry.

Examples of cooking oil packs with non-standard sizes, based on data shared by users on Open Food Facts -


Note: Pack sizes can vary by batch and region. Always check the label on the product you buy for the exact quantity.

It is good to see MilkyMist being transparent that its 12ml Cow Ghee pack is "NOT A STANDARD PACK SIZE" -

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