Hyderabad, December 6, 2025  – In a significant victory for public health and consumer protection, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a nationwide directive banning the misuse of the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on commercial beverages. This landmark decision is the culmination of an eight-year relentless campaign led by a dedicated Indian pediatrician, Dr. Sivaranjini Santhosh of Hyderabad.

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The victory addresses a widespread and dangerous practice where manufacturers labeled sugary, non-medical drinks as ‘ORS’ or ‘Electrolyte Drinks,’ misleading consumers—especially parents—into buying them as substitutes for the clinically essential Oral Rehydration Salts formula.

The Misleading Labeling That Put Children at Risk

For years, Dr. Santhosh witnessed firsthand the clinical consequences of this deceptive marketing. Parents, believing they were giving their sick children a life-saving solution for dehydration (vomiting and diarrhea), were instead providing high-sugar, low-sodium drinks.

“I saw children coming in who were already dehydrated, and their condition was worsened because they were being given these sugary substitutes,” Dr. Santhosh explained in a recent interview. “True ORS must adhere to the specific World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) formula for sodium, potassium, and glucose to effectively combat dehydration. These commercial ‘ORS’ drinks failed that critical test.”

The Long Battle for Regulatory Action

Dr. Santhosh initiated her campaign by compiling clinical evidence and mounting a robust case before the regulatory bodies. Her core argument centered on the difference between a medical product (ORS), which is classified under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, and a mere food product.

• Evidence Collection: She meticulously documented the dangerously high sugar content and inadequate electrolyte levels in the misleadingly labeled drinks.

• Advocacy: Her persistent efforts, including petitions and collaboration with consumer rights groups and medical associations, finally forced a review of the labeling standards.

The FSSAI’s final order stipulates that only products conforming to the exact WHO-recommended formula for Oral Rehydration Salts can use the ‘ORS’ designation. All other similar beverages must now be marketed strictly as ‘electrolyte drinks’ or ‘rehydration products,’ with clear warnings that they are not medical substitutes for genuine ORS.

Impact and Public Health Significance

The ban is hailed by the medical community as a monumental step in safeguarding child health in India, a nation where diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of childhood mortality.

• Clarity for Consumers: The directive provides crucial clarity, ensuring that parents can easily identify and purchase the correct, clinically effective ORS packets, which are essential for treating severe dehydration.

• Curbing Sugar Intake: By dismantling the misleading health halo around these products, the ban is also expected to contribute to the broader public health goal of reducing unnecessary sugar consumption among children.

While some companies have reportedly been given time to sell off existing, mislabeled stock, Dr. Santhosh’s fight marks a clear win for science over misleading marketing tactics in the Indian food and beverage industry.