“Don’t let diarrhoea drain you; ORS can sustain you!” and “Stay strong, stay hydrated: ORS saves the day!” are familiar slogans promoting oral rehydration solution (ORS). However, concerns have emerged regarding potential issues associated with ORS, prompting a significant awareness campaign led by Hyderabad-based paediatrician, Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh.
Dr. Santosh initiated the campaign after observing that some children were not improving after consuming ORS solutions. In October, she achieved a notable victory when the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) banned the labeling of beverages as ‘ORS’ unless they meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) formula standards.
ORS is primarily composed of water, glucose, and essential electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. It plays a vital role in preventing and treating dehydration caused by diarrhoea and vomiting, a condition that can significantly decrease mortality risk.
Addressing Misinformation
Dr. Santosh discovered that many parents were incorrectly using packaged solutions containing ten times the recommended sugar content instead of the individual ORS sachets that should be dissolved in water. In 2016, she began utilizing social media to raise awareness about the issue; by 2018, she had launched a YouTube channel. Her efforts culminated in raising the issue with government bodies such as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), FSSAI, and the Ministry of Health in 2021. Following a ban on misleading ORS labeling in April 2022, the FSSAI issued a recall in July, permitting companies to use disclaimers that Dr. Santosh criticized as misleading due to public apathy towards such information.
In 2022, she filed a public interest litigation (PIL) that garnered support from both the Endocrine Society of India and the Women Paediatricians Forum. Despite the progress, Dr. Santosh warns that the battle is ongoing, as companies may find alternative ways to market substandard ORS products. “Only the WHO-recommended formula should be available in pharmacies, hospitals, and schools; the public must be informed about the proper mixture,” she emphasized.
“Even on e-commerce platforms, only WHO-recommended ORS should be displayed when consumers search for it,” she urged.
Importance of Label Reading
Dr. Santosh advises parents to regularly read labels and disclaimers. “By following the instructions on the label, mistakes can be avoided,” she stated, calling on health influencers to refrain from endorsing company-sponsored health information.
In a related development, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has challenged the FSSAI directive in the Delhi High Court, contending that the restrictions on the ORS label for its product, Rebalanz VITORS, may result in substantial financial losses, as reported in various media outlets.
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Published on November 3, 2025
