In a major enforcement drive against misleading food labels, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all states and Union Territories to immediately remove fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, electrolyte beverages, and energy drinks being sold under brand names containing the term “ORS” from retail shelves and e-commerce platforms.
According to official sources, despite earlier directives, several manufacturers continue to market regular beverages deceptively as ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution), a formulation medically recommended for dehydration and diarrheal treatment.
The latest instruction, issued on November 19, reminds state food commissioners that such products remain in violation of FSSAI’s October 14 order, which explicitly prohibits the use of “ORS” in any food product’s name, including trademarked names with prefixes or suffixes.
FSSAI had already warned last month that using the term “ORS” on packaged drinks amounts to misleading consumers, as these beverages do not meet WHO-recommended ORS formulation standards. This order also withdrew earlier relaxations from July 2022 and February 2024, which had allowed the term to appear on labels with disclaimers.
However, the regulator noted that “misleading and deceptively named” products are still being sold across markets and online platforms. The authority has now sought immediate removal of all such products, stressing strict compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The intensified crackdown aims to protect consumers from confusing everyday beverages with therapeutic ORS solutions, especially critical in health emergencies where accurate labelling is essential.