FSSAI ORS Ban 2025

The FSSAI ORS ban has recently been implemented to prohibit the use of the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on food labels and advertisements, as it was found to be misleading to consumers.

Earlier, food products were allowed to use the term with disclaimers, but these permissions have now been revoked under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This move emphasises the importance of accurate labelling rules, consumer protection, and strict adherence to FSSAI ORS labelling guidelines.

FSSAI Directive

The FSSAI ORS ban requires all food business operators to remove the term ‘ORS’ from products, whether used alone or with prefixes or suffixes.

The decision follows a detailed review that concluded using ‘ORS’ on food items is misleading for consumers. The directive reinforces compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and classifies misuse of the term as misbranding FSSAI, which is punishable under law.

The FSSAI ORS ban ensures FSSAI ORS product compliance, making it mandatory for businesses to maintain accurate product labelling and adhere to regulatory standards.

Previous Permissions & Misbranding

• Previously, FSSAI allowed the use of ‘ORS’ on food labels with disclaimers in July 2022 and February 2024.

• However, these permissions have been withdrawn under the FSSAI ORS ban, as the practice is now considered misbranding FSSAI.

• Businesses can face penalties for misbranding ORS under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

• This history highlights the role of the FSSAI ORS ban in enforcing ORS regulation and safeguarding consumer rights.

About FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a regulatory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

FSSAI sets standards for food products and monitors their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import. The FSSAI ORS ban is part of its initiative to ensure safe, transparent, and reliable food labelling practices.

About ORS

Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is a medically formulated solution used to prevent and treat dehydration, especially due to diarrhoea. ORS contains a precise mixture of salts and sugars that promote water absorption in the intestines and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The FSSAI ORS ban ensures ORS is not misrepresented in food products, maintaining clarity for consumers and enforcing FSSAI ORS product compliance.

Impact of FSSAI ORS Ban

The FSSAI ORS ban affects food manufacturers, distributors, and consumers in several ways:

• Businesses must remove ORS from packaged foods to comply with the ban.

• Food products must follow FSSAI ORS labelling guidelines to avoid penalties.

• Consumers benefit from clearer product information and protection from misleading claims.

• The ban reinforces ORS product compliance with FSSAI, ensuring trust in food safety.

• Overall, the FSSAI ORS ban strengthens food labelling rules and prevents misbranding of FSSAI.

Additionally, the FSSAI ORS ban clarifies that prior permissions allowing disclaimers are no longer valid, ensuring uniform compliance across the industry.

Key Points for SSC Aspirants

• The FSSAI ORS ban prohibits the use of ‘ORS’ in any food labelling or advertisement.

• Previous permissions (July 2022, Feb 2024) allowing disclaimers have been revoked.

• Misuse of ORS now constitutes misbranding FSSAI, punishable under law.

• ORS is medically formulated and WHO-recommended for dehydration.

• FSSAI monitors compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

• The directive impacts ORS product compliance with FSSAI and food labelling rules.

Final Thoughts

The FSSAI ORS ban has recently prohibited the use of the term ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) on food labels and advertisements, as it was found to mislead consumers. Earlier, some products could mention ORS with disclaimers, but these permissions have now been revoked under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

ORS is a medically formulated solution recommended by the WHO to prevent and treat dehydration. The FSSAI ORS ban ensures accurate food labelling rules and protects consumers from misleading claims.

Businesses must comply with FSSAI ORS labelling guidelines and ensure FSSAI ORS product compliance.