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last mo.

FSSAI Orders Nationwide Removal of 'ORS'-Branded Drinks That Don’t Meet WHO Formula

The regulator escalated enforcement following reports that mislabelled beverages persisted despite October restrictions.

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FSSAI orders nationwide removal of fruit juices and electrolyte drinks falsely sold as ‘ORS’
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Overview

  • State and UT food safety authorities have been told to run immediate inspections across retail stores and e-commerce platforms, pull non-compliant products from sale, initiate regulatory action, and file action‑taken reports.
  • FSSAI clarified that genuine WHO‑recommended oral rehydration solutions are classified as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and must not be sampled, seized, or otherwise targeted, noting recent instances of mistaken action.
  • The order enforces October 14–15 directives that withdrew permissions to use the term ORS on any food label or brand name, including with prefixes or suffixes, reversing earlier allowances from 2022 and 2024.
  • The regulator says applying the ORS term to foods violates the Food Safety and Standards Act because ORS refers exclusively to the WHO‑recommended medical formulation.
  • The Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the restrictions on October 31, and health experts warn that sugary, low‑electrolyte drinks marketed as ORS can mislead consumers and worsen dehydration in children.