Doctor Who Took on ‘Fake ORS’ Hits Out at FSSAI Over Stay On Historic Order

Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a Hyderabad-based pediatrician, slammed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for allowing the disposal of high-sugar Oral Rehydration Solution or ORS stocks,

calling it “a national shame.” In a video message on X, Dr Santosh heavily criticised FSSAI’s consent to let JNTL, the Indian subsidiary of Kenvue, for a stay order to dispose of its stock of ORSL. “It is a shame! Sir, not only now, in the future also, except the recommended formula ORS, no sachet or tetrapack should be allowed in the pharmacies (including online), hospitals, and schools, as far as rehydrating medicines are concerned,” she said. “ORS should never be allowed to be used on the labels except for the WHO Recommended Formula ORS, even if these liquids are being sold in the supermarkets and quick commerce platforms only! Trusting that you will ensure the October 15th order is implemented with urgency!”

Sir, @narendramodi and @jpnaddaoffice @fssai @mohfw, it's a national shame that FSSAI has consented to the request by JNTL(the Indian subsidiary of Kenvue which is a spin off of Johnson and Johnson) for a stay order to dispose of it's stock of high sugar ORSL! Sir, not only now,… pic.twitter.com/YTg9KSkePd
— Dr.Sivaranjini (@dr_sivaranjani) October 23, 2025

Kenvue is a spin-off of Johnson & Johnson, which reportedly received consent to dispose of its existing stock of the sweetened beverage ORSL after the October 14 advisory that barred non-medical drinks from using the label "ORS."Dr Santosh has urged authorities to ensure that only WHO-recommended ORS formulations are permitted in pharmacies, hospitals, schools, and online platforms. Her post has reignited debate over misleading marketing practices in India’s health market. Many influencers on social media have also criticised the stay order of ORSL to be disposed of before a complete ban is applied. Dr Santosh says ORS is a life-saving concoction with a very specific formula and works due to the presence of glucose, which helps your body absorb water and salt. If the formula gets changed, it will not work. Many brands across the country have been selling ORS solutions using ingredients that do not contain glucose – a key part of the formula – which helps the body pull in sodium and water from the intestines, especially during diarrhoea or dehydration.The first directive was issued in April 2022 by the FSSAI to curb misleading advertisements and marketing of products as “ORS substitutes.” The move was aimed at ensuring that consumers were not misled into believing that flavored drinks or electrolyte beverages were medically equivalent to the WHO-recommended ORS used for treating dehydration.

What is ORS?

ORS is a simple yet powerful mix of sugar, salt, and clean water used for treating dehydration that is caused mostly by diarrhoea, heat, or vomiting. According to doctors, it replaces lost fluids and minerals quickly. The WHO recommends a specific formula:

Six teaspoons of sugar
Half a teaspoon of salt
Mixed in a liter of clean water

This simple mix can save lives—but only when made the right way. Using too much sugar or salt can make things worse. Also, using sugar substitutes or adding extra ingredients like fruit powders or spirulina stops the solution from working properly.