The ongoing dispute over the use of “ORS” in beverage branding has escalated, as the Delhi High Court granted interim protection to JNTL Consumer Health (India), producer of the popular hydration drink ORSL.Meanwhile, Hyderabad paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, who has long campaigned against the use of “ORS” in food and beverage names, reiterated her call for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to enforce its recent ban rigorously.Delhi High Court Grants Interim Relief to JNTL in ORSL Branding DisputeThe regulatory clash over the use of “ORS” in beverage branding has entered a new phase, with the Delhi High Court granting interim protection to JNTL Consumer Health (India), maker of the popular hydration drink ORSL.The order follows JNTL’s challenge to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which had abruptly withdrawn earlier permissions allowing the use of “ORS” with prefixes or suffixes in product trademarks. The company argued that the sudden decision—without prior notice, consultation, or hearing—threatened the sale of its existing stock, valued at approximately ₹180 crore.The High Court’s temporary relief permits JNTL to continue selling its current stock until FSSAI addresses the matter, though production of new high-sugar ORSL variants remains on hold.What is ORS?Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are a crucial treatment for dehydration, particularly in children suffering from severe diarrhoea, heat-related illnesses, or conditions that lead to significant fluid loss. ORS consists of a precise combination of salt and sugar that is mixed with clean water. When used correctly, it replenishes fluids and electrolytes effectively, helping to manage childhood diarrhoea. It is essential to administer ORS under medical guidance, as improper use can be harmful and may lead to salt toxicity. This underscores the importance of clear labeling and the use of approved formulations.Regulatory Context and Public Health ConcernsFSSAI’s 15 October clarification prohibits the use of “ORS” on any food or beverage label unless it is a genuine WHO-formula product. The regulation came after years of advocacy by doctors and health experts, including Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, who hailed the original ruling as “a people’s victory.”While the court’s interim protection offers short-term relief for JNTL, public health advocates stress that decisive regulatory action is necessary to prevent misleading branding that could harm children.A Doctor’s Persistent CampaignFor Dr. Sivaranjani, a senior paediatrician, first aid trainer, and social activist, the court order represents another chapter in an eight-year campaign to protect children and families from products misleadingly marketed with medical-sounding names. She was among the first to warn that commercial beverages labeled as ORS were often high in sugar and nutritionally different from the WHO-recommended Oral Rehydration Solution, a life-saving treatment for dehydration caused by diarrhoea or vomiting.In a statement following the court order, Dr. Sivaranjani said, “The long battle we have won! ORSL cannot produce new high-sugar ORSL, but it wants to clear out its existing ₹180 crore stock. India, please stand with me! People’s power has to win against corporate lobbying.”She further alleged that companies were attempting to influence media coverage and that she had received online threats for speaking out. “They are even reaching out to the media and threatening them with legal notices,” she said, urging citizens to raise awareness and pressure regulators to act swiftly.
Email
Google
Facebook Email Google Facebook