A series of alarming paediatric emergencies has prompted India’s food regulator to take decisive action against the misuse of the term “ORS” in commercial beverages. Children suffering from diarrhoea were reportedly given tetra-pack drinks labelled as “ORS,” only to arrive at hospitals in shock, highlighting a dangerous gap between medical guidance and market practices.

Responding to these incidents, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned all beverages from using the term ‘ORS’ in their brand names. In addition, the regulator has withdrawn an earlier provision that allowed companies to use the term alongside disclaimers. The move marks a significant tightening of food labelling rules in the interest of public health, particularly child safety.

The decision follows an eight-year public health campaign led by Dr Sivaranjini Santhosh, a paediatrician who consistently raised concerns about the misuse of the ORS label. Through clinical observations, case documentation, and advocacy, Dr Santhosh highlighted how sweetened, flavoured drinks marketed as ORS misled caregivers into believing they were equivalent to medically approved Oral Rehydration Salts.

Medical ORS, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian health authorities, follows a precise formulation designed to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea. In contrast, many commercial “ORS drinks” contained excess sugar, flavouring agents, and inadequate electrolyte balance, which could worsen diarrhoea instead of treating it. For children already vulnerable to dehydration, this misinformation proved dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Paediatricians have long warned that replacing standard ORS sachets with sweetened beverages can delay proper treatment, increase stool output, and accelerate dehydration. The growing availability of attractively packaged ORS-labelled drinks in tetra packs further added to the confusion, especially among caregivers with limited access to medical advice.

By banning the use of “ORS” altogether in beverage branding, regulators aim to draw a clear distinction between medicinal Oral Rehydration Salts and commercial hydration or energy drinks. The move is expected to reduce caregiver confusion and ensure that children with diarrhoeal illness receive appropriate treatment.

Public health experts have welcomed the decision, calling it a critical step in safeguarding children’s health and restoring trust in essential medical terminology. The action also underscores the importance of accurate food labelling and ethical marketing, especially for products linked to health outcomes.

The ban sends a strong message to manufacturers that medical terms cannot be used loosely for commercial gain. More importantly, it reinforces a life-saving principle: when it comes to treating childhood diarrhoea, not all hydration drinks are ORS—and the difference can be a matter of life and death.