The Centre has made mandatory the standardized packaging of 19 commodities of daily use, including bread, biscuits and tea, from today. An official release said, manufacturing, packing or import of these commodities in non-standard packs will invite penal action.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had issued a notice on 5th of June this year in this regard by amending the Legal Metrological (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

However, non-standard packs, already manufactured and packed on or before 31st of October and ready for sale in different retail outlets, have been exempted from penal action.

Controllers of Legal Metrology in all the states and union territories have been asked to ensure strict compliance of the order.