Delhi, 3 November (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea challenging the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) decision to prohibit the use of the term “ORS” (Oral Rehydration Salts) on fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink beverages.

Justice Sachin Datta, in an order dated October 31, observed that the FSSAI’s directives were driven by serious public health considerations and constituted legitimate regulatory measures applicable across the food and beverage industry.

The court refused to interfere with the FSSAI’s orders issued on October 14 and 15, which withdrew permissions previously granted to companies for using the term “ORS” on their product labels unless the beverages strictly conformed to standard medical formulations.

The High Court held that the regulatory action was aimed at preventing consumer confusion and ensuring that products labelled as “ORS” met the scientifically approved composition intended for medical rehydration purposes, rather than commercial beverages.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar