Doctors Applaud Ban, Warn of Deadly Risks to Children
In a decisive move hailed by the medical community, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned food and beverage companies from using the term “ORS” (oral rehydration solution) on product labels, names, or trademarks. The order comes after years of warnings from pediatricians about sugary drinks being falsely marketed as medical-grade rehydration solutions, posing grave health risks to children.
According to the FSSAI advisory, even partial use of the term “ORS” — as a prefix or suffix — is now prohibited to prevent the sale of misleading products that resemble genuine rehydration salts. The ban follows mounting evidence that such drinks contain dangerously high levels of sugar, misleading parents and putting children suffering from diarrhea at risk of severe dehydration.
Hyderabad-based pediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, who has long campaigned against the misuse of “ORS” branding, called the move a “major victory for child safety.” “These so-called electrolyte drinks contain up to ten times more sugar than WHO’s recommended levels and are often sold in pharmacies next to real ORS,” she said. “They worsen dehydration instead of treating it — especially in children.”
The World Health Organization recommends just 13.5 grams of sugar per litre in oral rehydration solution. However, many of the commercial drinks being sold in India contain between 110 to 120 grams of sugar per litre — a staggering excess that can lead to severe complications.
Children at risk from deceptive marketing
Doctors have been raising the alarm after a surge in cases of children hospitalized for dehydration despite parents believing they were administering ORS. “We received a four-year-old who was listless and severely dehydrated. The parents said they were giving her ‘ORS water’ for two days,” said Dr. Dhiren Gupta, co-director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. “It turned out to be a sweetened energy drink sold online as an ORS substitute. Instead of improving, the child’s condition deteriorated rapidly.”
Dr. Gupta noted that such cases often reveal dangerously low sodium and high glucose levels in the blood. “Any rehydration solution must maintain a precise balance of sugar and salt,” he explained. “Too much sugar or salt can be equally fatal.”
At Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant in internal medicine, said the misuse of sugary or flavoured drinks as ORS is a recurring issue. “We often admit children with dehydration that could have been prevented if correct WHO-ORS had been used,” he said.
Dr. Dinesh Yadav, pediatric cardiologist at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, elaborated on the science behind the danger: “Glucose helps sodium absorption, and sodium helps the body retain water. During diarrhea, both are lost. A properly mixed ORS restores this balance safely, but sugary or diluted versions worsen dehydration.”
Awareness, not panic, say doctors
Medical experts agree that the key to preventing such tragedies lies in awareness. “ORS is a life-saving formula — but only when prepared and used correctly,” said Dr. Yadav. “Parents should always use WHO-approved sachets and follow the exact mixing instructions. No commercial sports or energy drink can replace genuine ORS.”
Dr. Santosh, who has faced social media backlash and corporate pressure during her campaign, expressed both relief and vindication. “I collected videos, testimonies, and medical evidence for years. It was exhausting, but this decision means our efforts weren’t in vain,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking that profit was put above children’s health for so long.”
Legal battle brews
Following the ban, several beverage manufacturers have approached the Delhi High Court, arguing that FSSAI’s order was issued without prior consultation and threatens existing stock worth nearly ₹180 crore. The court has temporarily allowed the sale of current inventory but stopped production of any new batches using the term “ORS.”
Despite the ongoing legal tussle, doctors say the FSSAI’s action marks a crucial step toward safeguarding children’s health. “This is more than a regulatory measure — it’s a life-saving one,” said Dr. Gupta. “Now, the focus must shift to public education so that no parent mistakes a sugary drink for medicine again.”