FSSAI has banned misleading ORS products, allowing only WHO approved formulas. Experts warn that ORS must contain the correct sugar-salt-water mixture to effectively treat dehydration. Representative image. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced that no brand can label a product as Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) unless it follows the World Health Organization’s recommended formula. The directive, issued on 14 October, sets strict rules on how food businesses can use the term. “Not only can they not use ORS, but they can’t sell it from today. No misleading products with ORS can be sold. We won the battle. We won it. They can’t sell it anymore,” said Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a pediatrician campaigning against mislabeled ORS brands, in an Instagram post. Why is ORS important? ORS is a life-saving solution made of sugar, salt and clean water, used to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea, vomiting or heat. Its effectiveness comes from glucose, which helps the body absorb water and salt. Dr Santosh explained that many brands across India sell drinks labeled as ORS without containing glucose. “If the formula is changed, it won’t work,” she said. What caused the ban? FSSAI first issued a directive in April 2022 to stop misleading advertisements from promoting products as “ORS substitutes”. The move was aimed at preventing consumers from thinking that flavored drinks or electrolyte drinks are medically equivalent to WHO-approved ORS. What is the correct ORS formula? The WHO recommends a simple mixture for ORS: Six teaspoons of sugar Half a teaspoon of salt One liter of clean water Doctors stress that the use of too much sugar or salt, or the addition of other ingredients such as fruit powders or spirulina, can reduce its effectiveness. How can you tell if ORS is real? Experts recommend the following to ensure that the ORS is genuine: Check the formula: Use only the WHO recommended mixture. Avoid sugar substitutes: Sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit cannot replace glucose. Skip extra ingredients: Spirulina, fruit powders or herbal mixes are not part of ORS. Ignore random influencers: Only follow advice from certified doctors or medical experts. Use ORS pouches: WHO approved pouches from pharmacies are pre-measured and safe. Doctors warn that while flavored drinks may seem convenient, “when it comes to your child’s health, it’s always better to double check.”
‘No misleading products with ORS can be sold’: FSSAI issues stern warning, says ‘only WHO approved products allowed’
