New Delhi (Delhi) [India], November 21 (HBTV): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Wednesday directed the immediate removal of fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, energy drinks, electrolyte drinks, and similar products that use the term ‘ORS’ in their brand or product names.
FSSAI said that despite earlier orders withdrawing permission to use the term ‘ORS’ for such drinks, many of these products continue to be sold in retail stores and on e-commerce platforms. The authority referred to its orders dated October 14 and the clarification issued on October 15, which stated that no food product — whether fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink — may use the term ‘ORS’ in trademarked names or in any form, including as a prefix or suffix. Such usage violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
To curb the continued misuse, FSSAI has instructed officers to conduct immediate inspections of e-commerce platforms and retail outlets to identify non-compliant products. Once identified, these products must be removed from sale, and regulatory action must be initiated against the companies involved. Officers have also been asked to submit detailed action-taken reports listing inspections conducted, violations found, and the status of product removal.
The authority further directed that enforcement activities must not interfere with the storage, distribution, or sale of WHO-recommended ORS drug products. Only non-compliant food items misleadingly using the term ‘ORS’ should be targeted.
Earlier, on October 31, the Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the FSSAI’s order prohibiting the use of ‘ORS’ on beverages. The Court observed that counterfeit or misleading ORS-labelled products pose a serious threat to public health and stated that public health must take precedence over commercial interests. A detailed judgment is expected to follow.
The observation was made while hearing a petition filed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories challenging the FSSAI notification restricting the manufacture and sale of drinks using the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) in brand names or trademarks. FSSAI has maintained that the term ‘ORS’ may only be used for formulations that meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards for oral rehydration solutions.
(ANI)