The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to all state and union territory food safety commissioners, mandating the immediate removal of non-compliant oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and misleading electrolyte drinks from the market. The notice, circulated across regulatory channels, specifically targets beverages labeled as “ORS” or any derivative names, including products marketed as ready-to-drink or with composite terms suggesting rehydration benefits. Retail outlets, e-commerce platforms, and other distribution points have been instructed to comply without delay.
According to the FSSAI order, the action is aimed at protecting consumers from products that make unverified health claims or fail to meet the prescribed standards for electrolytes, hydration, and nutrient content. The regulatory body cited concerns over misleading labeling, which could potentially endanger health, particularly among children, elderly, and individuals with medical conditions requiring regulated electrolyte intake.
Industry sources note that the directive is part of FSSAI’s broader push to tighten compliance across functional beverages and health-oriented drinks, following reports of widespread misuse of the ORS term in the market. Products that do not adhere to the standards outlined in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 are now considered violative, irrespective of whether they are sold offline or online.
Retailers and e-commerce operators have been asked to conduct immediate audits of their inventory, remove any products not meeting the ORS specifications, and submit compliance reports to the respective food safety authorities. Failure to comply could invite penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, including fines, product seizures, or legal action.
The FSSAI’s move underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny over the health and wellness segment in India, which has seen an increase in functional beverages making claims without robust scientific validation. Experts say the initiative is likely to create a clearer, safer marketplace for consumers while reinforcing accountability among manufacturers and distributors in the beverage sector.
