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Court questions FSSAI's abrupt ban on Red Bull's product name
28 Sep
Summary
- High Court questions FSSAI on Red Bull's right to respond
- Red Bull challenges FSSAI order to stop using 'Energy Drink' label
- FSSAI's June 30 order prompts legal challenge from Red Bull
The Delhi High Court is examining an order by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that directed Red Bull to stop using the term "Energy Drink" for its beverages. The court, on September 28, 2026, inquired if Red Bull was granted an opportunity to present its case before the FSSAI issued the June 30 directive.
Red Bull has filed a petition against the FSSAI's order and a subsequent July 17 communication that prompted enforcement actions. The company argues that it has used the "Energy Drink" descriptor since 2002 and that the recent FSSAI action was taken without a show-cause notice or a hearing.
The court also raised concerns about the FSSAI's perceived urgency, questioning why a decision was made without hearing the company's perspective. Red Bull pointed to a March 2026 advisory and a Union Health Ministry press release from April 2026, suggesting a previous regulatory understanding that permitted the use of the "Energy Drink" label.
