In a landmark consumer protection move, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of the term “ORS” (Oral Rehydration Salts) on any food or beverage product that does not strictly comply with the World Health Organization (WHO)-approved medical formula.
The decision marks the culmination of an eight-year crusade led by Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, whose persistent campaign has now reshaped India’s food labelling policy.
🧾 The New Rule: No ‘ORS’ Unless It’s Real ORS
In its directive dated October 14, 2025, the FSSAI stated that no food business operator may use “ORS” — whether standalone, as a prefix/suffix, or part of a trademark — unless the product meets WHO’s exact composition standards.
“This victory belongs not to one person, but to people’s power — doctors, advocates, mothers, and influencers who stood with me,”
said Dr. Santosh after the order was issued.
The FSSAI has also revoked previous permissions that allowed the use of “ORS” in trademarks under disclaimers. Earlier policies (from 2022 and 2024) had permitted the term if accompanied by the label:
“This product is NOT an ORS formula as recommended by WHO.”
That provision has now been completely withdrawn. Even with disclaimers, no beverage or drink can display the word “ORS” unless it matches the WHO’s medical standard.
⚖️ FSSAI Cracks Down on Misleading Labels
A follow-up clarification issued on October 15 reinforced the ban, calling out fruit-based and ready-to-drink beverages for “false, deceptive, and misleading labelling.”
The circular warned that such practices amount to misbranding and misleading advertising — both punishable under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FSSAI instructed all state and central food safety commissioners to immediately withdraw non-compliant products and initiate legal proceedings against violators.
💪 A Decade-Long Battle for Public Health
Dr. Santosh’s journey began nearly ten years ago when she noticed sugar-heavy fruit drinks being marketed as “ORS” in supermarkets. Many of these products contained excessive sugar and incorrect electrolyte ratios, potentially dangerous for children suffering from dehydration — the very condition ORS is designed to treat.
Concerned that parents could be misled by misleading packaging, she began writing to regulators, medical associations, and eventually the courts.
“These so-called ORS drinks were confusing families and putting children at risk,” Dr. Santosh said. “If a child suffering from diarrhoea was given a sugar beverage instead of actual ORS, it could worsen dehydration.”
Her campaign gained momentum when she filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Telangana High Court in 2022, asking authorities to act against food brands exploiting the “ORS” label without medical compliance.
⚖️ Court Push and Regulatory Reversal
The Telangana High Court, led by the Chief Justice, took serious note of the issue and sought formal responses from the FSSAI and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
This led FSSAI to issue its first restriction on April 8, 2022. However, following petitions from beverage companies with registered trademarks, the regulator temporarily relaxed the restriction in July 2022 — allowing the use of “ORS” under disclaimers.
That regulatory loophole has now been completely closed with the October 2025 directive, marking a full reversal in favour of consumer safety.
🧪 Why ORS Labelling Matters
The WHO-approved ORS solution is a precisely balanced medical formula designed to replace lost fluids and electrolytes during dehydration. It contains measured amounts of:
- Sodium chloride
- Potassium chloride
- Glucose
- Citrate
Incorrect formulations — or those marketed as “ORS” without the correct ratios — can be ineffective or even harmful, especially for children and diabetic patients.
“ORS is not a general drink. It’s a life-saving medical formulation,”
Dr. Santosh emphasized.
“This ban ensures that parents can trust what they buy.”
🩹 Impact and Public Response
Dr. Santosh’s campaign has been hailed across the medical community as a landmark win for child health and consumer transparency.
After the directive’s release, she posted on Instagram:
“No one can use ‘ORS’ on their label unless it is a WHO-recommended formula — and no one can sell it right from today.”
Her post went viral, drawing support from doctors, parents, and public health advocates.
“Thanks to every parent, doctor, journalist, teacher, advocate, and citizen who supported this cause,” she wrote.
📈 A Win for Public Trust
The ban reinforces the government’s broader efforts to curb misleading food advertising and protect consumer rights.
Experts say it will help prevent confusion among millions of families who rely on ORS during diarrhoeal illness — especially in rural areas where such products are widely sold.
“This is more than a regulatory update — it’s a safeguard for public trust,” said a senior FSSAI official.
“When you see ORS on a label now, it means it’s real.”
🧭 Key Takeaways
- FSSAI bans “ORS” in product names unless formula meets WHO standards.
- Earlier permissions revoked — disclaimers no longer allowed.
- Violations will face legal penalties under Food Safety and Standards Act.
- Campaign led by Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh after 8 years of advocacy.
- WHO-approved ORS is a medical formulation, not a general beverage.
🩷 A Doctor’s Persistence Changes Policy
Dr. Santosh’s eight-year struggle — from writing letters to filing a PIL — stands as an example of how sustained civic activism can reshape public policy.
“Change takes time,” she said. “But when it happens, it can save lives.”
Hyderabad Doctor’s 8-Year Fight Prompts Nationwide Ban on Misleading ORS Labels
After Hyderabad paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh’s campaign, FSSAI bans use of “ORS” on all non-WHO-approved drinks and food products, marking a historic win for child health and consumer safety.
