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Doctor Quits Health Body Over Misleading Drinks
9 Jun
Summary
- Doctor resigned from pediatricians' body over brand naming practices.
- Concerns raised about drinks using 'ORS' without proper formulation.
- Company claims rebranding complies with regulations despite visual similarities.
Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, a pediatrician from Hyderabad, has resigned from the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), citing dissatisfaction with the organization's handling of her concerns about misleading health product marketing. Dr. Santosh had been advocating against beverage brands that used the term 'ORS' in their names without adhering to the medically recognized formulation for Oral Rehydration Solution, a critical treatment for dehydration.
Her fight gained prominence when she challenged a major consumer health company, Kenvue, over its product rebranding. Despite the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India banning the term 'ORS' for non-compliant electrolyte drinks, Kenvue re-marketed its hydration solution as EZRL, a name visually similar to its previous ORSL brand. Dr. Santosh argued this continued to confuse the public, leading her to file a trademark opposition.
The company, however, stated that its new trademark ERZL complies with regulations, does not contain the term 'ORS', and is therefore not misleading. Dr. Santosh also criticized the IAP for allowing such companies to have a presence at their conferences. While the IAP issued a statement distinguishing between proper ORS and electrolyte drinks, Dr. Santosh found it insufficient, particularly regarding the mention of non-nutritive sweeteners like sucralose.
