New Delhi, India: Earlier permissions allowing ‘ORS’ references with disclaimers revoked; companies ordered to update packaging immediately.

New Delhi, India:

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive instructing all food manufacturers and marketers to stop using the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on their product labels and advertisements. The regulator said the usage is deceptive and may mislead consumers.

In an order dated October 14, FSSAI clarified that employing the term “ORS” in any brand name or product title — even when accompanied by additional words or suffixes — violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Earlier permissions withdrawn

This new notification cancels previous circulars released in July 2022 and February 2024, which had allowed limited use of the word ‘ORS’ provided manufacturers included a disclaimer stating, “This product is not an ORS formula as recommended by WHO.”

Upon review, the authority found that such labelling practices were still misleading the public, creating confusion through “false, unclear, or deceptive product names and label statements.” FSSAI concluded that this constitutes a breach of the food safety law.

Misuse of ‘ORS’ to attract penalties

From now on, any product using the term ‘ORS’ will be treated as misbranded and misleading, making it punishable under the FSSAI Act, 2006, the regulator warned.

The order further stated:

“All Food Business Operators are hereby instructed to remove the word ‘ORS’ from their labels, whether it appears alone, with prefixes/suffixes, or as part of a brand name. Strict adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its advertising and labelling regulations is mandatory.”

However, the earlier directive issued on April 8, 2022, under Section 6(5) of the same Act — concerning misleading advertisements and marketing of ORS substitute products — will continue to remain in force.