Overview
- The petition by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories challenging FSSAI’s October 14–15 orders was dismissed by Justice Sachin Datta on October 31.
- FSSAI’s crackdown bars use of the term ‘ORS’ in beverage names or labels unless the formulation strictly meets WHO standards.
- The court cited serious public health risks and declined to second‑guess the expert regulator’s industry‑wide measure.
- No immediate relief was granted for inventory in the market, with the company allowed to make a representation that FSSAI must decide after a hearing within one week.
- FSSAI argued prior permissions from 2022 and 2024 were conditional and ineffective disclaimers could mislead consumers, while Dr. Reddy’s reported 8,47,181 unsold units worth about ₹1.39 crore; public-health advocate Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh welcomed the ruling.