Synopsis: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has barred the use of the term “ORS” in the names or labels of beverages, stipulating that only genuine WHO-recommended Oral Rehydration Solution products may carry the term. The directive, issued on 15 October, overturns earlier permissions that allowed companies to use “ORS” with disclaimers. The move follows years of advocacy by doctors and public health campaigners, who have hailed it as a major victory for consumer safety.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a major clarification prohibiting the use of the term “ORS” in food and beverage product names, following years of regulatory back-and-forth.

FSSAI has mandated that only genuine WHO-formula-based products can use “ORS” on labels or as

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