Energy drinks are registered under the caffeinated beverage category and the industry body has said that these standards were published after substantial deliberations and that its members are in compliance with these regulations

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is learnt to have given a timeline of about three months to beverage companies to remove “energy drinks” descriptors on labels of products registered under the  caffeinated beverage category, sources said.

This comes after the food safety regulator issued notices to some beverage players over use of “energy drinks” descriptors pointing out that it has not notified any standards for “energy drinks” or similar products. It has also raised concerns over use of theraupetic and functional claims made by products marketed as energy drinks

In a meeting held last week, FSSAI officials are believed to have given a 90 day timeline to transition to removal of energy drink descriptors from the product labels, sources said. The meeting was attended by industry body representatives besides FDA officials of states of Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. However, sources also said that a formal order is being awaited in this regard.

Meanwhile, the industry has been urging the FSSAI to adopt a consultative, proportionate and risk-based approach on this issue. An industry executive said the move will have an adverse financial impact on the players as it will lead to substantial packaging and inventory losses for the players given there are stocks across the retail chain and warehouses among others.

Immediate implementation

Industry body Indian Beverage Association in its submissions, a copy of which was seen by businessline, has said that immediate implementation of changes in terms of products descriptors may result in disruption across retail and distribution channels besides financial losses for the stakeholders. It has requested the food safety regulator not to take any adverse action that impacts market supplies.

Energy drinks are registered under the caffeinated beverage category and the industry body has said that these standards were published after substantial deliberations and that its members are in compliance with these regulations.

The industry body has also pointed out that the “category” of energy drinks is recognised globally. “The term ‘energy drinks’ is well recognised in Codex General Standard for Food Additives (CXS 192-1995); which represents an international best practice and serves as a key reference for numerous food regulatory authorities worldwide,” IBA has said.

Referring to previous advisories issued by FSSAI, the industry body has also said that the usuage of term ‘energy drink’ is “consistent with existing FSSAI framework aligned with international market practice and are common to trade and well understood by the end consumers.”

Published on July 27, 2026