In a significant victory for consumer protection, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to all food businesses to immediately cease using the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on their labels and in advertisements. This decisive action stems from an eight-year-long campaign led by Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a pediatrician from Hyderabad, who highlighted how the misleading use of ‘ORS’ on energy drinks deceives the public and can even worsen conditions like diarrhea.
FSSAI’s New Stance
The FSSAI’s order, dated October 14, unequivocally states that using ‘ORS’ in product names, whether standalone or with prefixes/suffixes, is a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This new directive supersedes previous orders from July 2022 and February 2024, which had allowed the use of ‘ORS’ with a disclaimer. The regulator found these practices to be false, deceptive, and contrary to the Act, classifying such products as misbranded and misleading, carrying penalties under the law.
The FSSAI order mandates that all Food Business Operators must remove the term ‘ORS’ from their product names and ensure strict compliance with labeling and advertisement regulations.
Dr. Santosh’s Unwavering Fight
Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh’s persistent efforts, often facing immense pressure, have finally borne fruit. She emphasized that these drinks, which wrongfully use the ‘ORS’ name, often contain high sugar content and can exacerbate diarrheal symptoms, despite ORS being a life-saving rehydration solution.
Dr. Santosh shared her relief, stating, “It’s a huge relief. That means now I know that no child will die, no adult will die because of worsening of diarrhoea, because of these drinks. ORS is supposed to save lives. It’s a wonder drug of the 20th century… And here, people have labelled their high sugar drinks as ORS with a suffix or prefix. And for the past 14 years, they have been cheating the public, deceptive labelling, unethical marketing…”
She highlighted the concerning statistic that approximately 13% of children under five in India die from diarrhea, and allowing products that worsen the condition is a matter of deep concern.
Impact and Advocacy
For eight years, Dr. Santosh has tirelessly raised awareness about companies misusing the ‘ORS’ moniker for their sugary beverages. Her commitment, even when it meant going against family pressure and engaging in public interest litigation, underscores her dedication to public health. Her campaign ensures that consumers can trust that products labeled ‘ORS’ are indeed the safe and effective rehydration solutions they are meant to be.