In a major public health victory, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of the word ORS on beverage labels unless the product follows the World Health Organization’s low-sugar formula. The order was issued on October 16, 2025.
This landmark decision came after an eight-year legal fight led by Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a paediatrician from Hyderabad. She had filed a case against soft drink brands falsely labeling sugary drinks as Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
Eight years ago, Dr. Sivaranjani noticed that several drinks sold in pharmacies carried ORS tags despite containing up to 10 times more sugar than the WHO-prescribed amount. These drinks were often given to children during diarrhea, worsening their condition instead of helping.
In 2022, she moved the Telangana High Court, demanding strict action. The court ruled in her favour, directing FSSAI to enforce the labeling ban. Now, only WHO-compliant products can carry the ORS label.
After the verdict, Dr. Sivaranjani shared an emotional message thanking doctors, parents, and advocates who supported her cause. She said the ban would save children from health risks and stop companies from exploiting public trust.
Her perseverance has resulted in a ruling that will protect millions of children from dehydration-related dangers a true win for citizen-led accountability in India’s health system.
We Have Won! No one can use ‘ORS’ on their label unless it’s a WHO-recommended formula.
This is the story of Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a braveheart paediatrician from Hyderabad, who fought for 8 years against sugar-rich drinks falsely marketed as ORS.
Her persistence led to… pic.twitter.com/sZZoNkAW6B
— The Better India (@thebetterindia) October 16, 2025
