• Source:JND
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a directive requiring the immediate removal of fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, energy drinks, electrolyte drinks, and similar products that use the term "ORS" in their brand or product names.

FSSAI on Wednesday stated that these products are being sold in retail stores and on e-commerce platforms, even though earlier orders had already withdrawn permission to use the term "ORS" for such drinks.

Referring to previous orders from October 14 and a clarification issued on October 15, FSSAI emphasized that no food product, whether fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink, can use "ORS" in its trademarked name or in any form, such as a prefix or suffix. Using "ORS" in this manner violates the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Despite these clear instructions, FSSAI observed that many products continue to be sold under names incorporating "ORS."

To address this, FSSAI has instructed officers to conduct immediate inspections of both e-commerce platforms and retail outlets to identify any food products violating these directives by using the term "ORS." If such products are found, they must be removed from sale, and regulatory action should be taken against the companies involved. Additionally, officers are required to submit a detailed report to FSSAI, documenting inspections, violations, and the status of product removal.

The authority has also instructed that there should be no disruption to the storage, distribution, or sale of WHO-recommended ORS drug products.

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Enforcement activities must only target non-compliant food products that are falsely using the term "ORS".

Earlier on October 31, the Delhi High Court said it would not interfere with the decision of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibiting the use of the term "ORS" on beverages, observing that counterfeit or misleading ORS-labelled products pose a serious risk to public health.

The Bench noted that public health must take precedence over commercial considerations and clarified that a detailed judgment will follow.

The observation was made while hearing a petition filed by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, which had challenged the FSSAI's notification barring the manufacture and sale of drinks bearing the expression "ORS" (Oral Rehydration Solution) in their brand names or trademarks.

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The FSSAI had earlier stated that the term "ORS " can only be used for formulations meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for oral rehydration solutions.

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