New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has formally directed all state and union territory Food Safety Commissioners, along with Central Licensing Authorities, to ensure that food businesses across the country stop using the term “ORS” in product names, trademarks, or branding in any form.
The regulatory body has emphasized that the use of “ORS”—either alone or alongside any prefix, suffix, or within trademarks—is now strictly prohibited for any food or beverage product. This action is aimed at preventing consumer confusion and safeguarding public health, as the term “ORS” (Oral Rehydration Salts) is associated with medically approved formulations recommended by the World Health Organization.
The directive, issued on October 15, 2025, states that several past permissions allowing the use of “ORS” on food product labels have been withdrawn. This move overturns previous orders issued in July 2022 and February 2024, which had permitted restricted usage under specific labeling conditions.
FSSAI noted that such branding practices can mislead consumers into believing that certain packaged beverages have the same clinical effectiveness as certified ORS solutions used in medical settings. According to the authority, this can amount to a violation under various provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, particularly in relation to deceptive labeling and false advertising.
Citing sections 23 and 24 of the Act, along with relevant sub-regulations on labeling and advertising, FSSAI has warned that non-compliance will attract penalties under Sections 52 and 53, which address misbranding and misleading representations.
All food business operators have been ordered to immediately remove any instance of the term “ORS” from their products, whether it appears as a brand name, part of a label, or within any promotional material. Strict adherence to existing labeling and advertising standards has been mandated.
The directive was issued with the approval of the Competent Authority and signed by Sweety Behera, Director (Regulatory Compliance Division), FSSAI.
This initiative underscores FSSAI’s continued commitment to curbing misleading marketing practices and ensuring transparency in food labeling for Indian consumers.
