No more 'ORS' confusion, here is why FSSAI bans term on food products

Hyderabad-based pediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh's eight-year fight against misleading food labels has led to a major victory. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of the term "ORS" on food and beverage products, including those using it with a prefix or suffix.

Many companies were falsely marketing high-sugar drinks as rehydration solutions by misusing the term "ORS", which Dr Santosh said worsened diarrhoea, especially in children. Over 13% of child deaths under five in India are due to diarrhoea.

Calling the decision a “huge relief,” Dr. Santosh said this move will save lives and end years of deceptive labelling and unethical marketing.

FSSAI has directed all food business operators to immediately remove the term “ORS” from product names, labels, and ads, warning that any violation will be punished under the Food Safety Act, 2006.

Key highlights

Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a Hyderabad-based paediatrician, led an 8-year campaign to stop private companies from misusing the term “ORS” (Oral Rehydration Solution).

Filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) despite opposition from family, medical fraternity, and authorities.

Faced intense pressure but continued due to the seriousness of public health risk.

The issue

Several companies were labelling sugary beverages with "ORS" in the prefix or suffix of product names.

These drinks were marketed deceptively as rehydration solutions.

Such products actually worsened diarrhoea instead of helping, endangering lives—especially of children.

13% of deaths in children under five in India are due to diarrhoea.

FSSAI’s action (October 14 order)

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) issued a directive banning the use of "ORS" in:

Product names (with or without prefix/suffix)

Trademarks

Labels and advertisements

Key Reason: Misleading consumers with false, deceptive, ambiguous labelling—a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Previous orders (July 2022 & Feb 2024) that allowed "ORS" usage with disclaimers have been withdrawn.

FSSAI's directive to atakeholders

All State & UT Food Safety Commissioners and Central Licensing Authorities have been ordered to:

Ensure strict compliance.

Direct Food Business Operators (FBOs) to remove "ORS" from product labels, ads, and names.

Take action under the FSSAI Act for non-compliance.

Use of 'ORS' on food or beverage products will now be treated as:

Misbranding

Misleading advertisement

Punishable offense

Ongoing Regulations

April 8, 2022, direction on misleading marketing of ORS substitutes still remains in effect.

Dr Sivaranjani’s statement

Called the directive a “huge relief”, saying: “Now I know that no child or adult will die because of worsening of diarrhoea due to these drinks.”