FSSAI Advisory on the Term "Oral Rehydration Solution" (ORS)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory banning the use of the term "oral rehydration solution" (ORS) by food and beverage manufacturers. This is the result of an eight-year campaign by pediatricians and health experts.
Key Points of the Advisory
- Prohibition on using the term "ORS" in product names, labels, trademarks, or as a prefix/suffix by non-medicinal products.
- Only medical ORS products adhering to WHO standards, sold in pharmacies, can use the term.
Benefits of the Advisory
- Ensures effective use of ORS in dehydration cases.
- Encourages consumer agencies to scrutinize quasi-medicinal claims on food and cosmetics.
Definition and Misuse of ORS
ORS is a medically formulated mixture of water, glucose, and essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium, used to replenish fluids and salts lost due to dehydration.
- Many commercial products marketed as “ORS substitutes” contain excessive sugar and caffeine.
- High sugar content is particularly harmful in a country with high diabetes rates.
Compliance and Monitoring
- Non-compliance with the advisory can lead to penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Success of the advisory depends on monitoring and public education campaigns.
Industry Response and Legal Actions
- Manufacturers have challenged the ban in the Delhi High Court, which granted temporary relief for selling current stocks worth ₹180 crore.
Implications for Other Products
- FSSAI is encouraged to tighten labelling laws for products like breakfast cereals, snack bars, fruit juices, and vitamin waters, which often falsely advertise as healthy.
- Similarly, cosmetic products using terms like "cosmeceutical" and "ayurvedic" often misleadingly claim medicinal benefits.
