FSSAI Orders Immediate Ban on Misleading ‘Electrolyte’ and ‘ORS’ Drinks Across India

FSSAI has issued strict instructions to the Commissioners of Food Safety of states and Union Territories to immediately stop the sale of products in the market, as well as on e-commerce platforms, carrying misleading names like 'electrolyte drinks' and 'ORS'.

FSSAI has directed that such products, whether used singularly or in combination with any prefix/suffix, shall be immediately withdrawn from the market if presented in a misleading manner or presented as a similar product to medical-grade ORS.

The authority states that several companies are misleading consumers by marketing their beverages as being similar to ORS, whereas genuine ORS is prepared only in accordance with medical and scientific standards. This action is aimed at protecting consumers, especially children and the elderly, from potential health risks posed by beverages with false claims.

State governments have been asked to ensure immediate monitoring and enforcement action against such product listings and sales at retail stores, supermarkets, e-commerce sites, and online grocery platforms.