NEW DELHI, Oct 24: The Government has debunked social media posts claiming that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has allowed the sale of fake Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), particularly ORSL, according to PIB’s official fact-checking twitter handle.
Today, through a post on X, PIB fact-check stated, “Some social media posts claim that FSSAI has permitted the disposal or sale of ORSL. This claim is misleading, fssaiindia has NOT permitted the disposal or sale of ORSL.”
The food regulatory body shared a similar post after a Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh sharply criticised the FSSAI and government for allowing the disposal of high-sugar “ORS” (Oral Rehydration Solution) drink stocks, calling the move a “national shame.” However, in a post, FSSAI denied permitting the sale or disposal of ORSL stocks.
She questioned the Indian authorities for allowing JNTL, the Indian subsidiary of Kenvue, a spin-off of Johnson & Johnson, for receiving consent to dispose of its stock of the sweetened beverage ORSL after the October 14 advisory that barred non-medical drinks from using the label “ORS.”
Dr Santosh appealed to the authorities to ensure that going forward only WHO-recommended ORS formulations are permitted in pharmacies, hospitals, schools, and online platforms.
“ORS should never be allowed to be used on the labels except for 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!,” she requested in her post.
Calling the formulations manufactured by Kenvue-J&J, Reddy Labs and Zydus “fake”, the paediatrician urged the citizens to boycott ORSL, REBALANC VIT ORS and GLUCON-D VIT ORS. “Let the rest of their sub-standard stock go to hell,” she added.
Meanwhile, the food regulator called it a “misrepresentation of facts”, stating that claims suggesting that FSSAI had given its approval are false, and to refer to the official court order.
(UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
