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

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 -

• Patanjali
• Fortune
• Saffola

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