Key Update

The Jharkhand food safety department has stepped up its inspection drive to curb the sale of fruit-based beverages falsely marketed as oral rehydration salt (ORS). These products mislead consumers who rely on ORS for treating diarrhoea and dehydration.

Officials Inspect Shops Across Ranchi

Food safety officials in Ranchi and other districts are actively checking medical shops and general stores to enforce the recent Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ban. On October 15, FSSAI prohibited companies from using the term “ORS” on drinks that do not follow the World Health Organisation (WHO) formula.

The ban followed persistent efforts by Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjini Santosh. From November 1, the Ranchi food safety department began restricting the sale of ORS-labelled beverages. Officials observed that some shops continued selling these products and misleading consumers into believing they worked like WHO-recommended ORS. These fruit-based drinks use incorrect formulations, may harm users, and often misuse the term “ORS” as a prefix or suffix to appear legitimate.

Inspections Continue in Key Market Areas

A food safety team inspected five shops in Hinoo, Sainik Market, and Main Road on Thursday and did not find any violations. Earlier, on Monday, officials inspected 19 shops in Upper Bazar, Main Road, and Harmu and detected nine selling the banned beverages. They issued notices to these shops and instructed wholesalers to stop distribution at the source.

In the Seraikela-Kharsawan district, the administration has been conducting intensive checks since October 30. Over the past week, officials inspected 14 shops and informed all medicine shops through the drug and chemist association. Sellers followed the guidelines, and officials did not find any further violations. The district will continue inspections until it eliminates the sale of such products completely.

Experts Warn of Health Risks

RIMS paediatrics professor Dr Partha Kumar Choudhary warned that only ORS prepared according to the WHO formula provides the correct balance of electrolytes. He explained that the fruit-based drinks in the market contain incorrect proportions and much higher levels of sugar, which can worsen diarrhoea and lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

Source: The Times of India