FSSAI Withdraws Permissions for Use of Term “ORS” in Food Product Branding and Labelling:

FSSAI Withdraws Permissions for Use of Term “ORS” in Food Product Branding and Labelling The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has sent a regulatory filing to the commissioners of food safety of all states and union territories and all central licensing authorities, FSSAI, related to the withdrawal of permissions for the use of the term "ORS" along with brand names. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) added, this refers to the order dated October 14, 2025, regarding the withdrawal of permissions for use of the term "ORS" along with brand names. The new order replaces and cancels the earlier FSSAI orders, specifically Order No. RCD-15001/6/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI [E-1475] dated July 14, 2022, and Order No. RCD-15001/6/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI [E-1475] dated February 2, 2024. The previous orders had allowed the use of the term "ORS" on food labels as part of a trademark, either as a prefix or suffix in the product name, but only if the label also included the statement: "The product is NOT an ORS formula as recommended by WHO."

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It is clarified that, after further review, using the term "ORS" in the name of any food product, such as fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink beverages whether as part of a trademark or with a prefix or suffix is considered a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its regulations. Such practices mislead consumers by using false, confusing, or incorrect names and labels, and they go against the rules/laws stated in:

• Sections 23 & 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Sub-regulation 4(3) of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020
• Sub-regulation 5(1) of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020
• Sub-regulations 4(1) and 4(13) of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018

and thus misbranded and misleading, which is liable for punishment under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

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Accordingly, the aforementioned orders dated July 14, 2022, and February 2, 2024, stand withdrawn with immediate effect. It may be noted that the "Direction under section 16(5) regarding misleading advertisement and marketing of ORS substitute products dated April 8, 2022" will remain in effect. All food companies must remove the word “ORS” from their product names, whether it appears alone or with other words (before or after it, or as part of a brand name). They must also follow all the labeling and advertising rules given under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its related regulations.