**Executive Summary**
This document responds to Unstarred Question No. 2223, posed to the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, regarding the misuse of ORS labeling on beverages. The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed Food Business Operators (FBOs) to remove the term "Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)" from brand names/product names with immediate effect. This directive extends to all distribution channels, including e-commerce platforms, to align with the FSS Act, 2006.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **FSSAI Directives:**
* FSSAI has directed all FBOs to immediately remove the phrase "Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)" from product names.
* This directive applies to all distribution channels, including e-commerce platforms.
* **Enforcement:**
* Enforcement authorities in States/UTs and FSSAI's regional offices have been instructed to take regulatory action.
* Commissioners of Food Safety in all States/UTs and Central Licensing Authorities are advised to act against FBOs misusing the "ORS" label.
* **Scope:**
* The action targets the misleading use of "ORS" on non-carbonated water-based beverages, fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, and similar products.
* **Legal Basis:**
* The actions are based on the FSS Act, 2006, and relevant regulations, which impose restrictions on unfair trade practices, including misleading advertisements and claims.
* The Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, 2018 addresses issues related to misleading claims, labelling and advertisements.
* The food business is responsible to adhere with these requirements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Food Business Operators (FBOs)**
* **Impact:** FBOs producing and selling affected beverages must change their product labeling and marketing strategies to comply with the directive.
* **Action Required:** Immediately remove "Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)" from product names and labels and ensure compliance with the FSS Act, 2006, and regulations.
**Enforcement Authorities (State/UT and Central)**
* **Impact:** These authorities must actively monitor and enforce the removal of misleading "ORS" labels, initiate regulatory action against non-compliant FBOs, and prevent misuse of ORS labeling in the future.
* **Action Required:** Initiate regulatory actions against FBOs that violate these requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The authority responsible for regulatory oversight of food safety and standards in India, directing Food Business Operators (FBO) to remove misleading ORS labeling.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The primary legislation governing food safety and standards in India, used to address unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS): The substance being misused in labeling of beverages, leading to regulatory actions against Food Business Operators (FBO).
Food Business Operators (FBO): The entities directly impacted by the FSSAI's directive to remove misleading ORS labeling from their products.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The government ministry responsible for health and family welfare in India, overseeing FSSAI.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2223
TO BE ANSWEREDON12TH DECEMBER, 2025
MISUSEOFORS LABELING
†2223. DR. SAMBIT PATRA:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government is aware that several e-commerce platforms, grocery stores,
shopping malls, pharmacies, etc., are illegally selling fruit-based beverages, ready-to-drink
products, electrolytes, etc., by labeling them as ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) and if so, the
detailsthereofalongwith the actiontakenbythe Government against such sellers; and
(b) whether the Government has prepared any action plan for inspections and remedial measures
incase of violationstoprevent misuse of ORS labelingandif so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) and (b): The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in exercise of its
regulatory oversight, has issued directions to all the FoodBusiness Operators (FBO)for removal
of such brand name / product name containing word “Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)” with
immediateeffect from all distribution channels, alongwith from e-commerceplatforms.
In pursuance tothis, directions have also been issued to all the enforcement authorities in
States/UTs & regionaloffice of FSSAI,wherein Commissioners of Food Safetyof allStates/UTs
and Central Licensing Authorities were advised to initiate regulatory action against such FBOs
and against misleading food labels using the term “ORS” on non-carbonated water-based
beverages/ Fruit based beverages/ Ready to serve/drink beverages, in accordance with the
provisions of the FSSAct, 2006and relevantregulations.FoodSafetyandStandards(FSS)Act,2006 imposesrestrictions onunfairtradepractices,
including the prohibition of misleading advertisements and claims. Further, FSSAI has also
notified the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, 2018, to address
issues related to misleading claims, labelling and advertisements. It ensures that food-related
advertisements and claims are accurate, non-deceptive, and align with food safety standards. It
isthe responsibility of the food business to adhere with these requirements. Any contraventionof
these regulations may lead to appropriate actions in accordance with the provisions of the Food
SafetyandStandards Act, 2006,anditssubsequent regulationsmade thereafter.
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