Hyderabad paediatrician who pushed ORS labelling reforms served legal notice by pharma firms

Hyderabad paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh faces legal action from pharma firms over her remarks on ORS labelling reforms.

Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a Hyderabad-based paediatrician whose eight-year battle led to a key regulatory shift on ORS labelling, is now facing legal trouble after pharma majors issued a notice accusing her of making false, misleading, disparaging and defamatory remarks about their products.

The development comes after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in an order issued in October 2025, stated that no food brand may use the term ‘Oral Rehydration Salts’ or ‘ORS’ unless the formulation strictly adheres to standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A cease and desist notice dated March 16 alleges that Dr. Santosh made defamatory statements on social media about products, including ORSL and its rebranded version ERZL.

The notice states that the companies are science-based and compliant with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and asserts that their claims are backed by scientific evidence and regulatory approvals. Referring to ongoing regulatory and legal developments, the notice cites proceedings before the Delhi High Court, stating that the court had observed that the products in question were ‘not adulterated or unsafe for use’ and that the dispute was limited to branding aspects.

The notice denies claims that erstwhile ORSL products continue to be sold or that ERZL is being marketed as an ORS substitute, stating that distributors have been instructed to return or relabel older stock in compliance with FSSAI directions.

The companies have demanded that Dr. Santosh immediately remove all allegedly defamatory posts, refrain from making further statements against them or their products, and avoid unauthorised use of their trademarks.