Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) conference featured a stall for ORSL, an energy drink company, which did not sit well with Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh.
Published Jan 13, 2025 | 10:57 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 13, 2025 | 3:09 PM
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recently held its annual conference Pedicon in Hyderabad. However, an exhibition stall during the event has sparked criticism from within their community.
IAP featured a stall for ORSL, an energy drink company, which did not sit well with Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh.
“These drinks contain five teaspoons of sugar per 200 ml tetra pack —10 times the amount recommended by WHO [World Health Organisation]— and are sold in pharmacies as ORS. They have contributed to worsening diarrhoea and complications in millions of children,” Dr Sivaranjani told South First.
“ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) is classified as a drug and must meet regulatory standards set by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Companies producing it cannot exclusively use the term ‘ORS’ and must market it under a brand name while adhering to the WHO-recommended formula of 245 milliosmoles per litre,” said Dr Santosh.
Initially owned by Jindal and later sold to Johnson & Johnson, ORSL was marketed directly to doctors and gained widespread availability in pharmacies. However, unlike the WHO-approved ORS, ORSL contained high sugar content and was unsuitable for treating diarrhoea.
“The problem became evident when children returned with worsening conditions after consuming ORSL. Later, a small disclaimer was added: ‘Do not use during diarrhoea,’ but the misleading product remained widely available while the more appropriate WHO-recommended ORS sachets were harder to find,” said Dr Santosh.
She pointed out that after persistent complaints, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order in April 2022 prohibiting companies from using the term ORS on such products. However, this order was relaxed in two months, allowing disclaimers and marketing ORSL as an energy drink.
“Despite widespread concerns, Johnson & Johnson leveraged its influence to ensure ORSL’s continued dominance in pharmacies. Many consumers unknowingly purchased it, thinking it was suitable for treating dehydration,” said Dr Santosh.
“Celebrity endorsements further fueled misinformation by promoting ORSL as a solution for so-called ‘silent dehydration’—a term lacking scientific basis. Promoting a product containing five teaspoons of sugar per 200ml as a health drink is highly misleading,” she added.
“It’s basic logic, but the market for ORSL has been completely dominated despite the known health risks. I repeatedly raised concerns with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), both at the local and central levels. As a former member of the IAP Twin City Branch (IAPTCB) executive board, I encountered resistance. One response I received was, ‘It’s the parents’ choice now, ma’am’,” she said.
She said this was disappointing given IAP’s ongoing campaigns promoting proper oral rehydration solutions. Her petitions, including requests not to accept sponsorship from ORSL at national conferences, were ignored. Even though assurances were made that ORSL wouldn’t be promoted, a prominent stall was still set up at this year’s event.
“Ethical responsibility demands that the IAP protect children’s health, yet they continue accepting sponsorship from a company marketing a harmful high-sugar product. Conference sponsorships should come from ethical sources, not from products proven to harm children’s health. The IAP should stand by its advocacy for the WHO-recommended formula and refuse to promote or endorse sugary drinks like ORSL. Continuing to endorse such products, despite knowing their adverse effects, is highly unethical,” said Dr Santosh.
“IAP promotes the message ‘One India, One ORS,’ emphasising that commercially available high-sugar drinks marketed as ORS hinder effective management of diarrheal complications. They advise against giving children drinks like Frooti, Glucon D, and Limca,” said Dr Santosh.
She said, “Consider this: Frooti contains 13.3 grams of added sugar per 100ml, while ORSL has 11 grams. In contrast, the WHO-recommended low osmolar ORS formula contains just 1.35 grams of glucose per 100ml.”
“The infuriating irony is that the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, which advocates for proper rehydration, had an ORSL stall at its national conference! This is the very organisation tasked with protecting the health and well-being of our country’s children. It’s disgraceful and utterly unacceptable!” she said.
“I have repeatedly written to IAP leaders regarding ORSL, followed up with authorities, and even filed a PIL on this issue. One leader dropped it while the other didn’t respond, and the Telangana state chapters (IAPTCB and PATS) showed no interest. Working with such a team became unbearable, leading me to resign from my position as an IAPTCB member,” said Dr Santosh,
She said despite her requests to conference organisers and Central IAP heads to refrain from accepting sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson this year, ORSL was still prominently displayed.
“The presence of ORSL at a national conference is disheartening and unethical. I remain committed to the fight against labelling high-sugar drinks as ORS, regardless of the company. Seeing IAP, which is meant to safeguard children’s health, endorse such harmful products for years is both painful and infuriating,” she said.
She pointed out that it’s also disappointing to witness the exclusion of dedicated paediatricians like myself from the National Conference — especially someone who helped promote correct rehydration practices, trained thousands of parents and caretakers in CPR and first aid, and inspired young paediatricians to do the same.
“This is how the system currently operates. It’s time to wake up and unite to create a better, ethical, and child-centric system for all,” she said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
