Delhi High Court Overturns FSSAI's Order on Red Bull's Energy Drink Label

The Delhi High Court has set aside an order from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that sought to prevent Red Bull from using the descriptor 'energy drink' for its caffeinated beverages. This ruling, issued on September 29, 2026, followed Red Bull's petition against the FSSAI's directive, claiming it was implemented without due process.

The FSSAI issued its initial order on June 30, commanding producers of certain high-caffeine beverages to stop using the term 'energy drink' if their products did not comply with specific regulatory standards. This was followed by a communication on July 17 to food safety authorities to enforce this directive nationwide.

Red Bull has contested that the FSSAI's recent directive deviates from the regulatory body's previous stance. The company referenced a March 2024 FSSAI advisory, which it argues allowed the use of the term for products within its caffeinated beverage category. Additionally, Red Bull highlighted that it had previously received licenses and regulatory clearances for similar product descriptions.

The judgment comes at a critical time for India's rapidly expanding energy drink market, valued at approximately $1.6 billion by 2028 according to Reuters. Other companies including PepsiCo and Monster Beverage have felt the impact of the regulatory changes, though Red Bull actively pursued legal redress.

The energy drink sector has seen substantial growth in India, partly driven by products like PepsiCo's Sting, which gained popularity in rural areas and among younger demographics since its 2017 launch.

Reliance Industries has responded to the regulatory landscape by launching Campa Xtra without referencing the term 'energy'. Concurrently, industry participants express concern as the scrutiny over health impacts and labelling of energy drinks continues to mount.