Doctors Slam FSSAI Inaction After Delhi HC Allows ORSL Sales, Warn of Child Health Risks

The issue stems from FSSAI’s October 14 and 15, 2025 directives prohibiting the use of the term “ORS” on non-WHO-compliant formulations. These orders affected popular products such as JNTL’s ORSL and Reddy Laboratories’ RebalanzVitORS, which had previously carried disclaimers stating that the beverages were not WHO-recommended Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS). JNTL, a part of Kenvue Inc., which was spun off from Johnson & Johnson in 2023 as J&J’s consumer health division, challenged the ban in the Delhi High Court, which granted an interim stay while the company submits a representation to FSSAI.

Also Read: Breaking News: Delhi HC Stays FSSAI Order on ORS Labels, Gives Interim Relief to Kenue's ORSL

Dr Santosh expressed dismay over the regulator’s silence. Dr Santosh called on manufacturers such as JNTL and Reddy Laboratories to exercise ethics and moral responsibility, stressing that disclaimers alone cannot justify misleading labels. She further warned that unless only WHO-compliant ORS sachets are made available with proper guidance, children could die from worsening diarrhoea caused by inappropriate beverages. Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) the pediatrician wrote;

The controversy has drawn attention from medical professionals nationwide, highlighting the urgent need for effective enforcement of food and drug safety regulations to protect children and vulnerable populations.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Santosh said, " It's very unfortunate that the court has given a decision for FSSAI to listen to them, and before one week and give a decision, but FSSAI is again postponing and so court has again given time till 31st. It is very unfortunate that companies want to clear their stocks inspite of people and parents are being mislead in believing that they are ORS inspite of knowing that they can jeoparadize the life and health of children and people with diabetes specially. Its very unfortunate that FSSAI is sitting on it, I mean like taking so long to take a decision on the representation of JNTL so definitely I feel personally very unhappy with it."

Taking to Instagram, Dr Amit Lala Khomane, MBBS, DNB, FCPS, MNAMS, MRCP (UK), took a jibe at the court's decision in a satirical video captioned, "As doctors, we will continue to stand for science, ethics, and justice — and fight for what is right for our patients."

Reacting to the video, a user commented, "System is not going to do anything this is proven again and again .. people should stop buying it ,be vigilant, be informed about things we are putting in our systems."

Another viewer added, "My faith in doctors is being restored! I once believed the medical field was driven by greed, but now I'm inspired by doctors standing together against societal health challenges. KUDOS 👏.. ❤️ Well, creativity 🔥"

While one user wrote, "Great❤️❤️❤️❤️ this a slap to our judiciary system."

To mention, the Delhi High Court had clarified during hearings that its consent order “was passed to enable the FSSAI to take the requisite steps. It wasn't to allow all these manufacturers to continue manufacturing these products. The idea was that FSSAI would do the needful in two to three days.” FSSAI has since said it will decide the matter by October 31, 2025, with the court warning, “If you(FSSAI) are unable to do it, you move an application. I contemplate passing orders to restrain the manufacturers from manufacturing," the court said.