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The Delhi High Court has quashed a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order directing Red Bull India to stop describing its products as ‘energy drinks’ on its labels.
The court set aside the June 30, 2026, directive on September 29, finding that FSSAI had not given the company a proper opportunity to respond before taking action.
The regulator had issued the order over the use of the ‘energy drink’ description on high-caffeine beverages. It later sent a communication to food safety authorities across states and Union territories on July 17, asking them to act against products considered non-compliant.
Red Bull challenged both directions before the Delhi High Court.
The company said it had used the ‘energy drink’ description on its products in India since 2002. It cited a March 2024 FSSAI advisory, which it said allowed the expression for products covered under relevant caffeinated-beverage categories.
Justice Amit Mahajan ruled that FSSAI should have allowed Red Bull to submit its response or explanation before issuing the June directive.
The court consequently quashed the order on grounds of procedural fairness.
The ruling does not establish whether Red Bull can permanently use the ‘energy drink’ descriptor or prevent FSSAI from regulating such labelling.
The regulator can reconsider the matter by issuing a show-cause notice and giving the company an opportunity to be heard.
The case comes as India’s energy-drink market continues to expand.
Reuters reported that the sector has been growing at around 12.6% annually and could reach $1.6 billion by 2028.
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