Delhi High Court Refuses to Lift FSSAI Ban on Use of ‘ORS’ Label by Beverage Companies, Cites Public Health Concerns

The Delhi High Court on Friday signalled that it will not interfere with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) directive withdrawing permission for food and beverage companies to use the term “ORS” on their products unless they conform to the standard medical formulation prescribed for Oral Rehydration Solutions.

Justice Sachin Datta, hearing a plea filed by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd , observed that “public health hazard cannot be allowed to continue as health of the citizens is paramount.”

“It is a health hazard… What I propose to do is this — this embargo will continue. I am not disturbing this embargo given the public health considerations. You want to re-sticker your existing product, certainly you can do so and there is no objection on the part of FSSAI,”