Delhi High Court pauses FSSAI order barring Red Bull from using 'energy drink' label

Red Bull can continue using the words “Energy Drink” on its product labels for now after the Delhi High Court set aside a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order that had directed the company to stop using the term. The court found that Red Bull was not given an opportunity to respond before the June 30, 2026 order was passed.Justice Amit Mahajan allowed Red Bull’s petition on the limited ground that principles of natural justice were not followed.However, the court did not close the matter for good. FSSAI remains free to reconsider its decision after issuing a show-cause notice and giving Red Bull an opportunity to be heard.DELHI HIGH COURT SETS ASIDE FSSAI ORDERThe dispute began after FSSAI directed Red Bull to stop using the term “Energy Drink” for its products. Red Bull challenged the FSSAI order before the Delhi High Court, arguing that the direction had been issued without giving the company a chance to explain its position.The court agreed that this was a procedural issue. “It remains undisputed that the order dated 30th June, 2026 directing the petitioner to not use the term ‘Energy Drink’ in its product was passed without affording any opportunity to the petitioner to file any reply or give any explanation,” the court observed.RED BULL CAN CONTINUE USING ‘ENERGY DRINK’ FOR NOWThe Delhi High Court allowed Red Bull’s petition and set aside the June 30 FSSAI order.Importantly, the court's decision was based on the lack of an opportunity of hearing. It did not make a final determination on whether the term “Energy Drink” is permissible under FSSAI's food labelling rules.This means the food regulator can revisit the matter.FSSAI CAN TAKE A FRESH DECISIONThe court clarified that FSSAI is free to take a fresh decision after following the required process.This would include issuing Red Bull a show-cause notice and giving the company an opportunity to respond and be heard before any fresh order is passed.For now, the court's ruling gives Red Bull relief from the June 30 direction, while leaving the wider FSSAI labelling dispute open.- Ends