Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Delhi High Court Lets Reliance Keep Campa Energy-Drink Label
India’s food regulator told makers of some high-caffeine drinks to stop calling them “energy drinks.”
Reliance challenged that order because its Campa products use that label.
The Delhi High Court has temporarily let Reliance keep using it while the case continues.
The judges asked why the regulator had not given Reliance notice first.
Reliance said it has many cans, bottles, and packages already printed with the label.
It also said authorities seized some stock and online shops were told to remove the products.
Other beverage companies have also challenged the regulator’s order, and Red Bull has received similar court relief.
The court is expected to hear Reliance’s case again on November 5.
The Delhi High Court temporarily allowed Reliance Consumer Products to market Campa products as “energy drinks.”
The case challenges an FSSAI directive issued June 30 telling makers of high-caffeine beverages to stop using that description.
The court questioned why FSSAI had not given Reliance notice before the order and said it was “never too late” to correct its mistake.
Reliance reported 168 million cans and 120 million plastic bottles in finished inventory, plus packaging for 400 million cans and 360 million bottles.
Reliance said stock seizures and online product removals disrupted its business; the case is due back on November 5.
- Who
- Reliance Consumer Products and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); the Delhi High Court is hearing the dispute.
- What
- The court temporarily allowed Reliance to market Campa products as “energy drinks” while it challenges an FSSAI directive.
- When
- The ruling was issued at a Tuesday hearing on October 6, 2026; the case is due back on November 5.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- Reliance is challenging a directive restricting the “energy drink” description for high-caffeine beverages, saying the action disrupted its business and put labelled inventory and packaging at risk.
Reliance and beverage companies
FSSAI
Use of the “energy drink” label
Reliance and beverage companies
Reliance challenged the restriction and received temporary permission to keep marketing Campa products with the label; PepsiCo and Monster Beverage have also challenged the directive.
FSSAI
FSSAI’s June 30 directive told manufacturers of high-caffeine beverages sold as “energy drinks” to stop using that description.
Notice before enforcement
Reliance and beverage companies
The court questioned why Reliance had not been issued notice before the order was passed.
FSSAI
FSSAI’s response to the court’s question was not reported, and it did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- FSSAI directive
- Issued June 30; told manufacturers of high-caffeine beverages sold as “energy drinks” to stop using that description.
- Court relief
- Reliance may continue marketing Campa products as “energy drinks” while the case proceeds.
- Finished inventory reported
- 168 million cans and 120 million plastic bottles.
- Pre-printed packaging reported
- Packaging for an additional 400 million cans and 360 million bottles.
- Disruption cited by Reliance
- The company said state authorities seized stock and e-commerce platforms were instructed to remove affected products.
- Next hearing
- November 5.
- Other companies
- PepsiCo and Monster Beverage have challenged the directive; Red Bull has obtained court relief to continue using the designation.
- Market growth cited
- Euromonitor said India’s energy-drink retail sales are expanding 12.6% annually.
