“It’s just sugar, how bad can it be? After all, it’s not poison, right?” is the strength of the companies selling sugary drinks as ORS. The danger isn’t immediately clear to non-medics, so here’s a primer :
- ORS means Oral Rehydration Solution. It’s called rehydration solution, instead of merely hydration solution - why? Because the child starts from a dehydrated state → so the ORS is given to restore body fluids and electrolytes AFTER a deficit has already occurred.
- When you have too much sugar in the ORS, the sugar makes the solution hyperosmolar. That’s a fancy way of saying the solution draws water into the intestines, worsens diarrhoea and causes DEHYDRATION - in a child who is already dehydrated !
- This is the equivalent of selling fire extinguisher filled with petrol. It's a problem disguised as solution.
- How will we know if the worsening diarrhoea is due to disease or our treatment ? We won’t. That’s a problem we can’t easily diagnose or quantify.
- Can a child die because of this ? Potentially yes, but the more common issue is delayed recovery, hospitalisation, healthcare costs, potential hospital acquired infections, stress for the parents and prolonged illness for the child.
- So how much sugar is there in such products? WHO recommends 1.35 gm/100 ml. The commercial brand ORSL contains 11-12 gams. That’s 9 times the recommended amount. It’s the equivalent of a sugary drink like Maaza or Frooti.
- Why would any company put so much sugar ? Because sugar tastes good. Good taste → Good sales → Good money.
As expected! So, basically their 180 crores stock in circulation should be sold, and the so called reputation they have built over 20 years should not be affected, it seems. So, FSSAI has to hear them out, it seems. Till then, FSSAI can't implement the order. India, pls tell me what FSSAI should do?!
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What an unreal talent, Kerala cricket is proving that they have some serious future stars. A bright future is ahead of him. 💪🔥
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Dhanalakshmi bank HQ in Thrissur.
Thrissur is the banking capital of Kerala with HQs of many banks, financial institutions and jewellers.
Thrissur is 2nd only to Mumbai interms of HQs of banks in India