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Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, Paediatrician from Hyderabad
Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a paediatrician from Hyderabad, spent eight years watching children get sick from drinks labeled as ORS.
Parents believed these drinks were safe for dehydration, but many had too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. She could not stay quiet. She collected evidence, wrote letters, and went to court to make the issue known.
Her work has finally paid off. In an emotional video, she said, “We have won it. They cannot sell them anymore.”
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India now bans all drinks that do not follow the WHO ORS formula from using the ORS label. This decision gives parents a clear choice and protects children’s health.
Why ORS Labels Matter
ORS, or Oral Rehydration Salts, is meant to save lives during dehydration.
The formula recommended by the WHO works if it is used correctly. Drinks with high sugar and wrong electrolytes can make dehydration worse.
For years, some companies used the ORS label on sugary drinks, confusing parents and putting children at risk. The FSSAI order now says that only drinks following the proper ORS formula can carry the name.
Dr. Santosh said, “No misleading label with ORS can be sold. They cannot sell it from today.”
This ensures that parents can trust the product they are buying for sick children.
Dr. Sivaranjani’s 8-Year Fight
The problem started for Dr. Santosh in 2015 when she noticed children worsening after drinking labeled ORS products. She gathered information, reached out to health groups, and contacted authorities multiple times.
In 2017, she filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Telangana High Court, challenging the sale of drinks labeled as ORS but not following WHO standards. She argued that allowing this labeling put children in danger.
The fight was long and tiring. Interim orders allowed ORS labeling with a disclaimer, and news reports sometimes caused confusion.
Dr. Santosh stayed focused, following court updates and keeping the public informed. Finally, in October 2025, the FSSAI banned misleading ORS labels entirely.
“It has been eight years of persistent fight. No high-sugar drinks can have ORS on its label anymore. We have won the battle,” she said.
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Effects of the Ban
The ban has immediate results. Companies must remove or fix drinks that use the ORS label incorrectly. Shops cannot sell products labeled ORS unless they follow the WHO formula.
Parents now have a clear and safe option for treating dehydration. Children will be less likely to be harmed by sugary drinks sold as ORS. This win also shows that careful attention and consistent effort can make rules safer for everyone.
Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh’s eight-year effort has ended with a clear win. The FSSAI ban protects children from misleading ORS drinks and ensures that only safe products carry the ORS label.