The FSSAI has ordered states and Union territories to immediately remove fruit-based beverages and other drinks misusing the term “ORS” from shelves. This directive follows earlier orders to stop the illegal and misleading practice. Enforcement drives will identify and remove non-compliant products, with regulatory action against violators. Genuine WHO-recommended Oral Rehydration Salts, classified as drugs, are exempt from this crackdown. NEW DELHI: In a major enforcement push, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all states and Union territories to immediately pull off the shelves a range of fruit-based beverages, ready-to-drink products, electrolyte drinks and similar beverages that continue to misuse the term “ORS” on their labels – a practice the regulator says is misleading and illegal.The directive, issued on Nov 19, follows FSSAI’s earlier orders on Oct 14 and 15 withdrawing permission to use “ORS” – whether as a standalone term or with prefixes and suffixes – in the names of food and drink products. The authority said that several companies continue to flout those orders, selling products across e-commerce platforms, grocery stores, pharmacies, supermarkets and other modern trade outlets in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.To curb the malpractice, states/UTs have been instructed to launch urgent inspection and verification drives, identify non-compliant products, ensure their immediate removal from sale, and initiate regulatory action against violators. A detailed action-taken report listing inspections, violations found, corrective steps taken, and status of product removal must be submitted to FSSAI at the earliest.In a significant clarification aimed at preventing field-level confusion, the regulator cautioned officials not to interfere with sales of genuine WHO-recommended Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), which are classified as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Such ORS products, used against dehydration and for diarrhoeal management, fall outside FSSAI’s jurisdiction and must not be sampled, seized or removed from stores.The authority noted instances where enforcement teams had mistakenly targeted legitimate ORS products, and reiterated that its crackdown applies strictly to food and beverage products misleadingly marketed as ORS and not to medical ORS formulations.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia And Israel Launch FTA Talks; Piyush Goyal, Nir Barkat Sign Terms Of ReferenceDelhi’s Pollution Forces Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong To Cough, Stop Her Speech MidwayJaishankar Meets Afghan Commerce Minister Azizi In Delhi; Trade, Connectivity DiscussedMEA Outlines Agenda For PM Modi’s South Africa Visit For G20 Summit In JohannesburgPenny Wong’s Cricket Banter With Jaishankar Highlights Warm, Confident India-Australia PartnershipJaishankar, Penny Wong Send A Strong India-Australia Message To China And The World on Indo-PacificIFFI 2025 Opens With A Surprise As Korean Minister Sings Vande Mataram And Wins Standing OvationPiyush Goyal’s 10 D’s Pitch in Israel Recasts India As Future-Ready for Worldwide InvestmentsDelhi Student Suicide Case: Massive Protest Outside School After Note Alleges Harassment By TeachersPiyush Goyal Links India, Israel Through Shared Adversities, Predicts 7% Percent GDP Growth For FY26123PhotostoriesFrom better brain function to stronger heart: 5 reasons why backward walking is excellent for youPrincess Diana finally enters the Grévin Wax Museum and yes, she’s wearing the iconic ‘Revenge Dress’Dipika Kakar breaks down after meeting her oncologist amid liver cancer treatment; says, ‘The reports are normal, but there is a constant fear and anxiety’Peripheral Artery Disease: 5 major causes, and ways to prevent it9 must-try street foods in Udaipur5 expert-approved best foods to control diabetes5 spectacular animals with the biggest horns on their heads10 father-son duos who left a mark on cricket historyHyderabad Metro’s big upgrade: Six-coach trains, faster rides to end commuter chaos soonPriyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor to Alia Bhatt: Bollywood stars who reinvented their style after major career shifts123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJoel EmbiidSavannah JamesGiannis AntetokounmpoTrevon DiggsKris KnoblauchAdin RossCandace OwensKona TakahashiKatie JohnsonOlivia Dunne
NEW DELHI: In a major enforcement push, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all states and Union territories to immediately pull off the shelves a range of fruit-based beverages, ready-to-drink products, electrolyte drinks and similar beverages that continue to misuse the term “ORS” on their labels – a practice the regulator says is misleading and illegal.The directive, issued on Nov 19, follows FSSAI’s earlier orders on Oct 14 and 15 withdrawing permission to use “ORS” – whether as a standalone term or with prefixes and suffixes – in the names of food and drink products. The authority said that several companies continue to flout those orders, selling products across e-commerce platforms, grocery stores, pharmacies, supermarkets and other modern trade outlets in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.To curb the malpractice, states/UTs have been instructed to launch urgent inspection and verification drives, identify non-compliant products, ensure their immediate removal from sale, and initiate regulatory action against violators. A detailed action-taken report listing inspections, violations found, corrective steps taken, and status of product removal must be submitted to FSSAI at the earliest.In a significant clarification aimed at preventing field-level confusion, the regulator cautioned officials not to interfere with sales of genuine WHO-recommended Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), which are classified as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Such ORS products, used against dehydration and for diarrhoeal management, fall outside FSSAI’s jurisdiction and must not be sampled, seized or removed from stores.The authority noted instances where enforcement teams had mistakenly targeted legitimate ORS products, and reiterated that its crackdown applies strictly to food and beverage products misleadingly marketed as ORS and not to medical ORS formulations.
