Hyderabad doctor’s 10-year battle ends in victory: FSSAI bans misuse of ‘ORS’ label on sugary drinks

After nearly a decade-long fight by paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, the FSSAI has banned the use of the term ‘ORS’ on sugar-based beverages that do not meet WHO standards, marking a major consumer safety victory.

In a landmark decision that marks a major victory for public health advocacy, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prohibited food and beverage companies from using the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on any product that fails to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

This change comes after an unwavering 10-year battle by Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, who campaigned against the misleading marketing of sugar-rich drinks being sold as ORS. Dr. Santosh, who has been vocal about the issue for nearly a decade, had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Telangana High Court in 2022, challenging the sale of such beverages that misled consumers into believing they were medically recommended hydration products.

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A post shared by Dr Sivaranjani Santosh (@drsivaranjanionline)

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As per the FSSAI’s order dated October 14, no product can now carry the ‘ORS’ label unless it strictly adheres to WHO-prescribed formulations and standards. The directive explicitly states that any use of the ORS label on fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink beverages violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with related regulations.

The new order also revokes all earlier permissions that allowed companies to use the term with disclaimers such as “This product is not an ORS formula as recommended by WHO.” The regulator clarified that such labelling “misleads consumers through false, deceptive, and ambiguous claims,” thus violating multiple sections of the law.

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This decision cancels two earlier FSSAI circulars issued on July 14, 2022, and February 2, 2024, which had allowed limited use of the term ‘ORS’ with disclaimers. The fresh order closes this loophole entirely, ensuring that only medically approved ORS formulations can be marketed under the label.

Dr. Santosh’s persistence, which began as a fight to protect children from consuming sugar-heavy drinks under the guise of ORS, has now led to a nationwide policy change. Her emotional reaction in a recently viral video, where she is seen shedding tears of joy, reflects the culmination of a long and determined battle for ethical labelling and child health protection in India.