A extraordinary story of determination and democracy, the story of Hyderabad paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, is what it takes for very few to do — forcing India’s leading food regulator to act against influential drinks industry players. With nearly a decade of petitions, campaigns, legal battles, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has finally prohibited the use of the term ‘ORS’ on any drink that does not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
A Doctor Who Wouldn’t Quit
Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a physician at Hyderabad’s Film Nagar, Magna Centres for Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology, has 18 years of clinical practice. But beyond her hospital, she is recognized as a vocal champion of child health and consumer protection.
Her mission began almost a decade back when she noticed something alarming — some sweetened beverages were being touted as “ORS” or oral rehydration solutions. The sugary beverages containing very little electrolyte content were misleading consumers and endangering the lives of children as well as diabetic patients.
In 2022, she took her fight to the Telangana High Court, and she had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against these deceptive marketing practices. Her position was simple: if these items didn’t meet the WHO’s prescribed ORS recipe, they shouldn’t have called themselves that.
The Landmark FSSAI Order
Her decade-long doggedness bore fruit at last. The FSSAI on October 14, 2025, had released a historic order prohibiting every food or drink brand from using the word “ORS” unless they strictly stick to the WHO-approved formula.
The regulator also recalled previous approvals allowing brands to label “ORS” with disclaimers such as “Not a WHO-recommended formula.” The FSSAI labeled those as misleading and illegal, stating they were making consumers believe something they were not and violated the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
In an explanation issued the next day, the FSSAI said that usage of “ORS” on any non-carbonated, fruit-based, or ready-to-drink beverage is false labelling and a criminal act under the law.
The World Health Organisation has a prescribed composition of ORS with 245 mOsm/L osmolarity — 2.6 grams of sodium chloride, 1.5 grams of potassium chloride, 2.9 grams of sodium citrate, and 13.5 grams of glucose per litre of water.
On the other hand, a number of so-called “ORS drinks” sold in India contained up to 120 grams of sugar per liter but barely a tenth of the recommended sodium and potassium content. “These are not rehydrating anyone — they’re killing people,” Dr. Sivaranjani warned over a series of interviews over years. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/rehydration
A Victory Fought with Strength and Compassion
In a tearful social media post after the FSSAI order, Dr. Sivaranjani wrote:
“This victory isn’t mine, but of people power — all the doctors, advocates, moms, and influencers who joined me in this fight. I stood strong, and we won.”
Her race wasn’t just about labels — it was about trust in the public and children’s health. She often said that tricking customers with “sound-of-medical”-labeled drinks was not just wrong, but a silent health epidemic.
Her contributions have earned her recognition each year, including the Times of India Rising Star Award (2017) and the Visionary in Preventive Paediatrics Award (2024 & 2025) by Times Now. The Andhra Pradesh government nominated her for the Padma Awards in 2023
The Doctor Who Teaches Life-Saving Skills
Dr. Sivaranjani’s advocacy extends beyond this campaign. Inspired by a personal choking incident during her postgraduate years, she began teaching first aid and CPR to teachers, drivers, and parents across Hyderabad.
Her workshops, conducted since 2010, have trained thousands in emergency response — making her a rare combination of clinician, activist, and educator.
A Triumph for Science, Safety, and Society
The October 2025 directive of the FSSAI is now being seen as a milestone in India’s regulation of public health. It reinstates scientific integrity in ORS products and establishes a precedent for honest labelling in the food and drink sector.
For Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, this is not just a professional win — it’s a victory for truth, persistence, and public welfare. Her decade-long struggle proves that one determined voice can change national policy — and protect millions in the process.
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