Delhi High Court Rejects Plea Against FSSAI Decision To Ban 'ORS' Labelling On Beverages, Cites Adverse Health Outcomes

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition against the decision of Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banning Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) labelling on drink beverages.

Justice Sachin Datta refused to interfere with the orders passed by the FSSAI, citing “deleterious effect” and adverse health outcomes in the event of consumption of offending products by those who are in medical need of an ORS.

The Court dismissed the plea filed by Dr. Reddys Laboratories Limited against the FSSAI ban, as per which an embargo was placed on the use of word 'ORS', whether as a standalone term or in combination with any prefix or suffix, in naming of any fruit-based or non-carbonated or ready-to-drink beverages.

It was Dr. Reddys' case that the impugned orders were issued without any notice, hearing or even consultation with the concerned stakeholders.

It was submitted that the impugned orders had a significant impact on its ongoing operations, as also their proprietary or trademark rights, and also infringed its fundamental rights.

Dismissing the petition, Justice Datta observed that the impugned orders or measures taken by the FSSAI were “impelled by serious public health considerations.”

The Court said that the decision was to effectuate the statutory mandate of the FSSAI.

“The impugned orders dated 14.10.2025 and 15.10.2025 are regulatory measures applicable across the food industry. In these proceedings, this Court does not find it apposite to sit in appeal over a measure taken by the FSSAI on public health considerations,” the Court said.

Dr Reddys' submitted that it was willing to re-label or re-brand its existing inventory lr stock of the concerned food products and that the stock which is already in the supply chain be allowed to be sold to prevent irreparable and huge loss.

While not passing any directions on the said aspect, Justice Datta granted liberty to Dr Reddys to make a representation to the FSSAI.

It directed the authority to duly consider and disposed of the representation by way of a reasoned order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to Dr. Reddys within one week.

Counsel for Petitioners: Ms. Neelima Tripathi, Sr. Advocate along with Ms. Sanam Tripathi, Ms. Anjali Kaushik, Ms. Kriti Sharma, Mr. Harjeet Singh, Advocates

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG along with Mr. Ashish K. Dixit, CGSC, Mr. Aamir Zafar Khan, Mr. Umar Hashmi, Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. Shubham Sharma, Mr. Abdullah Shahid, Mr. Vikram Aditya Singh, Mr. Yash Wardhan Sharma, Mr. Naman, Ms. Iqra Sheikh, Mr. Harshit Chitransh, Mr. Aditya Shandily and Mr. Shivam Tiwari, Advocates

Title: DR REDDYS LABORATORIES LIMITED & ORS v. UNION OF INDIA & ANR

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1424

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