Overview
- Justice Sachin Datta said the FSSAI embargo will continue and declined to permit market sales of ORS-branded beverages pending public health concerns.
- Dr Reddy’s plea to exhaust its Rebalanz VITORS stock was not allowed, though the court indicated the company may rebrand to Rebalanz Vitenergy and re-sticker products.
- The court granted liberty to approach FSSAI on existing inventory and said it will set timelines for the regulator to consider the company’s representation.
- FSSAI’s October 30 reasoned order upheld a blanket prohibition on using ‘ORS’ in beverage branding, calling such labelling misleading and a direct health risk under the FSS Act and related regulations.
- The regulator cited complaints of consumers substituting ORS-branded drinks for WHO-recommended oral rehydration solutions, noted worsened dehydration risks from high-sugar formulas, and said disclaimers are ineffective when ‘ORS’ dominates packaging.