Fruit juices being labeled as ORS, ORSL Rehydrate: FSSAI initiates action

This came after FSSAI received several representations/complaints regarding misuse of the term "ORS" (Oral Rehydration Salts) by certain fruit-based or non-carbonated or ready-to-drink beverage manufacturers licenced under FSSAI by labelling/using terms similar to the ORS like 'ORSL', 'ORSL Rehydrate', 'Electro Plus ORS', etc.

In this regard, the authority said, "FSSAI was in receipt of several representations/complaints regarding misuse of the term 'ORS' (Oral Rehydration Salts) by certain fruit-based or non-carbonated or Ready to Drink beverage manufacturers licenced under FSSAI by labelling/ using terms similar to the ORS like 'ORSL', 'ORSL Rehydrate', 'Electro Plus ORS'etc."

The product 'ORS' is a drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945 which is used for the treatment of acute diarrhoea and has a specific composition prescribed by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

Oral rehydration salts are a type of fluid replacement used to prevent and treat dehydration, especially due to diarrhea. It involves drinking water with modest amounts of sugar and salts, specifically sodium and potassium. Oral rehydration therapy can also be given by a nasogastric tube. Therapy should routinely include the use of zinc supplements. Use of oral rehydration therapy has been estimated to decrease the risk of death from diarrhoea by up to 93%.

However, the marketing and labelling of the fruit based beverages etc. being manufactured by the FBOs under FSSAI Licenses and naming such products with the terms which contain "ORS" is not only misleading for the ordinary consumers but also harmful for the patients who may consume such products as ORS, especially in the case of children suffering from diseases like diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, etc. may have serious health repercussions.

In addition to this, FSSAI has clarified that use of the term "ORS" or similar to "ORS" and/or depiction of the food products as "ORS" on their labels or through advertisements is not allowed under the FSSRs and use of such terms may render the products as "misbranded food," as defined under Section-3 of the FSS Act.

Such acts/products are in violation of the provisions of Section 23 and 24 of the FSS Act, 2006, which may render such FBOs liable for punishment under Section 52 and Section 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Accordingly, the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs and Central Licensing Authorities have been advised to take appropriate actions against such FBOs under their respective jurisdictions, including issuance of improvement notices under Section-32 of the FSS Act, 2006 to them to rectify the labelling defects highlighted immediately while ensuring that the term "ORS" is not used in the labelling of such products, failing which appropriate legal action as per the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 and Regulations made thereunder for violation in this respect shall be initiated against the defaulting FBOs.