Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Gandhis’ Sting Moment Coincides With PepsiCo’s Court Battle
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were at a protest in Delhi.
Rahul drank a bright pink beverage identified as Sting, and Priyanka tried some too.
At the same time, PepsiCo was in court over whether it can call the drink an “energy drink.”
The food regulator had told the company to remove that wording from product labels.
The Delhi High Court gave PepsiCo temporary relief while the case continues.
Existing bottles with the label can still be sold, but new products cannot be made with it for now.
Government sources said the wording might make people think the drink gives nutritional energy or improves performance.
They also raised concerns about caffeine, sugar, and marketing to young consumers.
Rahul Gandhi drank from a bottle identified in the article as PepsiCo’s Sting during a protest in Delhi.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also tasted the drink after Rahul handed her the bottle.
The Delhi High Court granted PepsiCo interim relief on Tuesday in its challenge to FSSAI restrictions on the “energy drink” label.
Existing stocks carrying the disputed label may continue to be sold, but new products cannot be manufactured with it while the case proceeds.
Government sources said the label could mislead consumers about nutritional energy and raised concerns about caffeine, added sugar, and marketing to young people.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, PepsiCo, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- What
- The Delhi High Court granted PepsiCo interim relief in its challenge to restrictions on using “energy drink” on product labels.
- When
- Tuesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Delhi; the protest and court proceedings took place in the city.
- Why
- PepsiCo challenged FSSAI directions to remove the label. Government sources said the term could mislead consumers and raised public-health and consumer-protection concerns.
PepsiCo
FSSAI and government sources
Use of the “energy drink” label
PepsiCo
PepsiCo challenged the FSSAI directions restricting the descriptor; the article does not detail the company’s full arguments.
FSSAI and government sources
Government sources said the term could suggest nutritional energy or improved performance, although caffeine primarily acts as a stimulant.
Consumer and health concerns
PepsiCo
The article reports PepsiCo’s court challenge but does not provide a separate company response to the health concerns.
FSSAI and government sources
Government sources cited consumer-protection and public-health concerns about high caffeine and added sugar, especially in marketing aimed at young consumers and other groups.
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Company
- PepsiCo
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Interim relief
- Existing stocks carrying the disputed label may continue to be sold.
- Restriction during case
- New products cannot be manufactured with the “energy drink” descriptor while the case continues.
- Government sources’ concern
- The term could imply nutritional energy, increased vitality, or improved physical performance.
- Health concerns cited
- Sources cited caffeine and added sugar, particularly alongside marketing aimed at young consumers, sportspersons, and health-conscious buyers.