Delhi High Court sets aside FSSAI order on Red Bull label

The Delhi High Court on September 29 set aside a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order restricting Red Bull from describing its product as an “energy drink,” ruling that the company had not been given an opportunity to present its views. The decision removes the specific restriction challenged by Red Bull but does not settle how India classifies high-caffeine beverages more broadly. The court’s ruling followed Red Bull’s challenge to the regulator’s directive. The company argued that the label prohibition was imposed without prior notice and created uncertainty for its existing and planned investments in India. Those claims were arguments made by Red Bull, not findings reported as part of the court’s decision. The court set aside the order on procedural grounds. The dispute concerns how such beverages may be described under Indian food regulations. FSSAI’s position, as reported, is that the rules recognize caffeinated beverages rather than a separate standardized category called “energy drinks.