New Delhi: In a decision to protect consumers from misleading claims and prevent companies from marketing sugary or flavored drinks as medical rehydration solutions, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order prohibiting the use of the term 'ORS' (Oral Rehydration Salts) on beverage labels unless the formulation strictly adheres to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standards.

The order marked under file number RCD-15001/6/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI—comes after an eight-year-long campaign led by pediatrician Dr Sivarajanani, who fought against the rampant misuse of the “ORS” label on commercial beverages that did not meet WHO criteria.

This directive overturns the earlier FSSAI orders issued in July 2022 and February 2024, which had placed stric

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