Packaging Systems/Types of Pack

Traditionally, oil and fats have been packed in 15 kg square tinplate containers. The other types of packages like plastic containers, lined cartons, and flexible pouches have been recently introduced. Even though packaging has witnessed many changes, till today about 52 per cent of oil and fats continue to be traded in loose/unpacked form. This includes retail selling of loose oil from 15kg tins as well. This allows a lot of scope to pursue the dangerous practice of adulterating the oil with less expensive and unhygienic varieties. Due to adulteration of oil, deaths have been reported in Spain, Philippines, India and Pakistan. Consequently, the governments in these countries have taken a step forward to encourage use of inexpensive safe and hygienic plastics packaging for edible oil. Plastic packaging provides safe hygienically packed oil at competitive cost to consumers.