States, UTs told to immediately remove mislabelled ‘ORS’ drinks

Nagaland yet to issue directive

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 21

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all states and Union Territories to immediately remove from markets all fruit-based drinks, electrolyte beverages, ready-to-serve juices and energy drinks that use the term ‘ORS’ or imply that they are oral rehydration salts, amid concerns over misleading health labels confusing consumers.

Despite the central directive, the Nagaland Health Department is yet to issue any instruction regarding the withdrawal of such products from retail shelves in the State. Mislabelled ‘ORS’ drinks continue to be widely available across Dimapur and other districts: in pharmacies, grocery stores, supermarkets and even small pan shops.

A pharmacist in Dimapur said they had not received any official communication from the State Government or the Health department on removing the products. “We have not received any directive so far,” the pharmacist said, adding that they had “only seen news about the FSSAI order circulating on social media.”

The FSSAI noted that many products across the country were still being sold with ‘ORS’ labels despite repeated orders withdrawing permissions for the use of the term. ORS is strictly reserved for WHO-recommended oral rehydration salts, a medical solution used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea, vomiting or heat.

ORS contains a precise mix of salts and glucose that helps the body absorb fluids quickly and safely. It is a medicine, not a juice or energy drink.

In its latest order issued on November 19, the FSSAI reiterated its directives issued on October 14 and 15, which clearly prohibit companies from using ‘ORS’ in brand names, labels or product descriptions.

“It has come to notice that certain fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, electrolyte drinks and similar products continue to be marketed and sold containing the term ‘ORS’ in violation of the orders,” the authority said in a letter to states.

The regulator has instructed state authorities nationwide to conduct checks across retail stores, supermarkets, pharmacies and online platforms and to remove all non-compliant products from sale. It has also asked them to initiate regulatory action against companies using the term illegally and to submit action-taken reports.

At the same time, the FSSAI cautioned enforcement officials to ensure that genuine ORS medicines are not disturbed during market inspections.

“All food safety officers, designated officers, and state/UT food safety authorities shall ensure that no interference is made with the storage, distribution or sale of WHO-recommended ORS (drug) products… and no sampling, seizure or lifting of WHO-recommended ORS (drug) products shall be carried out,” the order stated.

The directive is the latest in a series of measures issued by the FSSAI over the past month to prevent misuse of the ORS label. On October 14, the authority withdrew all permissions allowing food businesses to use ‘ORS’ in any form, including as part of brand names. The following day, it clarified that even products using prefixes or suffixes — such as ‘fruit ORS’, ‘energy ORS’ or similar variants — violate the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Despite repeated warnings, the FSSAI said many such products continued to appear on retail shelves and online platforms. In Nagaland, the products remain openly available as the State is yet to enforce the latest directive.