ORSL Row: What Do You Need To Know

For eight long years, Hyderabad paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh fought a hard battle against misleading labels on high-sugar electrolyte drinks falsely marketed as ORS – Oral Rehydration Solution. Her unwavering effort finally bore fruit on October 15, when India’s food regulator, FSSAI, announced a ban on such deceptive products.

This move is critical, especially because childhood diarrhea remains a leading cause of death in India. Genuine ORS contains a precise mix of glucose and sodium, crucial for rehydrating dehydrated children. Sadly, many products like ORSL have up to eight times more sugar than WHO standards, worsening dehydration instead of helping.

Despite the ban, reports surfaced that the regulator had allegedly permitted disposal of high-sugar ORSL stocks. This caused public outrage, highlighting deeper issues about FSSAI’s reactive rather than proactive approach. From delays in regulating junk food in schools to failing to address misleading advertising, the regulator’s hesitant responses have often put children’s health at risk.

The science is clear: high sugar content in electrolyte drinks can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable children. What is needed now is accountability – immediate recall of non-compliant products, transparent industry operations, and public awareness campaigns to protect health.

Dr Sivaranjani said in a social media post that “it’s a national shame that FSSAI has consented to the request by JNTL (the Indian subsidiary of Kenvue which is a spin off of Johnson and Johnson) for a stay order to dispose of it’s stock of high sugar ORSL. Actress-activist Swara Bhasker came out in support of the paiediatrician and said: ” It’s shameful that our health regulatory system is turning a blind eye to the health of citizens and children!”

Meanwhile the regulator FSSAI has responded saying that “it is being WRONGLY claimed in some social media posts that FSSAI has ‘permitted the disposal or sale of ORSL. It is also being WRONGLY claimed that FSSAI has given consent for the same. ”

The Delhi High Court granted JNTL interim relief to sell Rs 180 crore of ORSL stock after FSSAI banned “ORS” in beverage branding. The stay followed JNTL’s challenge to FSSAI’s sudden withdrawal of prior permissions without hearing. New production remains halted.