Sometimes, a single word is enough to create big confusion—especially when it’s linked to health. That’s exactly what happened with ‘ORS’, a name everyone associates with a life-saving drink for dehydration. However, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently discovered that several brands were loosely using the term ‘ORS’ on their products. Keep reading for more details.
FSSAI Orders Removal Of Misleading ORS-Labelled Beverages
Many brands have been falsely labelling their beverages as ‘ORS’ to increase their sales. To ensure public safety, on November 19, the FSSAI issued a strict order to food safety officers across all States and Union Territories. According to The Hindu, the authority has instructed them to remove any fruit drinks, energy drinks, electrolyte drinks, or ready-to-serve beverages from stores that use the word ‘ORS’ in their name.
Why? Because, while these products look like real ORS, they are nothing but sugary drinks, and FSSAI wants them off the shelves immediately. However, if you think that this is a new order, then no, this decision has not come out of nowhere. On Oct 14 and 15, the FSSAI had already instructed sugary drink manufacturers to stop using the term ‘ORS’ on their drinks. Despite repeated warnings, the manufacturers ignored them, and thus, the FSSAI had to take this step.
Action Against Sugary Drinks
The order to remove misleading ORS drinks has a backstory, as reported by The Hindu. It began eight years ago, thanks to Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh. She has been raising her voice against companies selling sugary beverages disguised as ORS. Her campaign helped bring attention to the issue, leading to these recent regulatory actions.
To fix the situation quickly, FSSAI has launched immediate inspection drives. The assigned officers will now have to check shops and online platforms. Once they identify the misleading ORS drinks, they will be removed from sale instantly and will take action against the companies involved. They must also file Action Taken Reports detailing inspections, violations, and removals.
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