Archive · 22 Dec 2025
FSSAI Bans Misleading ORS Branding After Legal Battle
ORS is a special drink that helps people who are very sick with diarrhoea.
It has the right amount of sugar and salt to help your body get better.
Some companies were using the name ORS for their sugary drinks, which could make people sicker.
A doctor from Hyderabad complained, and the government said these companies can't use the ORS name anymore.
The court agreed with this decision.
ORS is very important, especially for kids, and has saved many lives.
You should be careful and only use real ORS when you're sick.
FSSAI banned the use of 'ORS' in branding for high-sugar beverages in October 2025
Delhi High Court upheld the FSSAI order, citing health risks from misleading branding
ORS is a WHO-approved solution for treating dehydration from diarrhoea, containing specific amounts of glucose, sodium, potassium, and citrate
Misleading branding led to consumption of high-sugar drinks instead of proper ORS, worsening dehydration
ORS has saved over 70 million lives worldwide, particularly in low-income countries
- Who
- FSSAI, Delhi High Court, Paediatricians, General Public
- What
- Ban on misleading ORS branding by commercial companies
- When
- Mid-October 2025 (FSSAI order), Delhi High Court ruling date not specified
- Where
- India
- Why
- To prevent misuse of ORS term by high-sugar beverages that could worsen dehydration
- ORS Composition
- Glucose (anhydrous) 13.5gm, sodium chloride 2.6gm, potassium chloride 1.5gm, trisodium citrate dihydrate 2.9gm per litre
- Lives Saved
- Over 70 million worldwide
- FSSAI Order Date
- Mid-October 2025
- High Court Ruling
- Upheld FSSAI order
- ORS Usage
- 200-400ml per diarrhoea episode
- Homemade ORS
- 6 tsp sugar + ½ tsp salt per litre
- ORS Pioneer
- Dilip Mahalanabis
- Mortality Reduction
- From 20-30% to 3.6% in 1970-71