Breaking Sugar-Coated Lies: FSSAI Bans Fake ORS Drinks in India

India has taken a firm stand to protect children's health as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), puts a ban on the use of the label of ORS on sugary products that are falsely advertised as Oral Rehydration Solutions. This milestone ends years of confusion and risk caused by fake ORS products widely available across the country.

The ORS label was applied to many drinks to seem like dehydration medicine, yet they had extremely high amounts of sugar that might increase sickness, particularly amongst the kids with the condition of diarrhoea. True ORS, which is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), has the right proportion of glucose and salts that are necessary to rehydrate safely.

The prohibition comes after a decade of struggle led by paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santhosh of Hyderabad, who raised awareness about the adverse side effects concealed in the fake ORS products. The October 2025 order of the FSSAI invalidates prior permissions of use of ORS with disclaimers, and it is evident that only WHO-approved forms of ORS would bear this label. may lead to penalties under food safety laws in the food safety legislation.

Soon after the order, Dr. Sivaranjani Santhosh shared an emotional video about how happy she is after the ban, and how much struggle she went through that instantly went viral on social media. 

The implementation of the ban is however at the moment held by the Delhi High Court on legal grounds because of the legal challenge posed by companies which have huge stock of the sweet sugary drinks called ORS. Nevertheless, health experts hail the move as a move that would be crucial towards honesty in marketing and overall safety of the population.

Indian families are advised to use only WHO-approved ORS products. This regulatory measure is a victory to the health of the people, as the marketing of various misleading and sugar-contaminated ORS-like products that put the lives of children in danger are no longer present.

Aspect	Details
Ban scope	No “ORS” on non-WHO-approved sugary drinks
Health risk	Sugary fake ORS worsens dehydration, especially in children
Real ORS formula	Balance of glucose and electrolytes approved by WHO
Campaigner	Dr. Sivaranjani Santhosh, Hyderabad pediatrician
Regulator	Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Legal status	Temporary stay by Delhi High Court due to commercial disputes
Public message	Use only genuine ORS to protect child health

Such a ban on fake ORS drinks in India opens the path to more transparent and safer hydration care practices in India, calling on more attention to misleading product claims.