FSSAI Bans ‘ORS’ Term from Food Product Labels and Brand Names
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered all food businesses to immediately remove the term “ORS” from product labels and brand names, closing a loophole that previously allowed its use with disclaimers.
Key Takeaways
- FSSAI directs complete removal of “ORS” from food product labels and trademarks
- Applies to all uses – standalone, with prefixes/suffixes, or in brand names
- Violations considered misleading and punishable under food safety laws
- Earlier permission for use with warnings has been revoked
Complete Ban on ORS Terminology
In a directive to State Food Safety Commissioners and Central Licensing Authorities, FSSAI mandated that all food business operators must eliminate any combination of the term “ORS” from their food products. This applies whether the term appears as a standalone word, with any prefix or suffix, or forms part of a trademark.
The authority stated: “The use of the term ‘ORS’ in the trademarked name or in the naming of any food product otherwise whether fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink beverages-even when accompanied by a prefix or suffix, constitutes a violation of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the regulations made thereunder”.
Reversal of Previous Policy
Earlier regulations had permitted the use of “ORS” on food labels as part of a trademark with prefixes or suffixes, provided the label carried the warning: “The product is NOT an ORS formula as recommended by WHO.”
However, FSSAI has now reversed this position after further review, determining that any use of the term “ORS” for food products violates the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Consumer Protection Measures
According to FSSAI, such labeling practices mislead consumers through false, deceptive, ambiguous, and erroneous names or declarations. Products using ORS terminology are now classified as misbranded and misleading.
The authority has warned that violations make products liable for punishment under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. All food safety authorities have been directed to ensure immediate compliance and take necessary action against violations.
