FSSAI Bans Misleading ‘ORS’ Labels on Beverages After Doctor’s 8-Year Fight
FSSAI has ordered that drinks cannot use the word “ORS” unless they match the WHO medical standard. This protects children from misleading drinks and supports real ORS use.
India has taken an important step to protect people and children’s health. The food safety body, FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), has ordered that drink companies cannot use the word “ORS” on their labels unless the drink meets the real medical Oral Rehydration Solution standard. This major decision came after an eight-year campaign by a pediatrician in Hyderabad, Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, who saw how some drinks falsely used the word “ORS” and misled families.
Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh raised this issue after seeing children whose diarrhea became worse after being given such drinks. She wrote to regulators, filed cases in the Telangana High Court, and posted videos on social media, one of which became viral. She always opposed earlier rules that allowed warning labels and asked for a full ban. She has called the new FSSAI order a “win” for children’s health.
True ORS is a mix of salts and glucose in exact proportions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to treat dehydration caused by vomiting, diarrhea, or heat. Many commercial drinks sold as “ORS-type” have extra sugar and flavors that do not match the WHO formula and may worsen dehydration.
The new FSSAI rule dated 14 October 2025 says that no drink can use “ORS” in its name, label, or brand unless it matches the WHO standard. Companies must change their packaging and remove misleading words. This move protects consumers and stops companies from confusing people with unhealthy labels.
