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Delhi HC pauses FSSAI ban on 'energy drink' label for PepsiCo, Monster and Reliance Consumer Products
Energy drink retail sales in India are growing 12.6% a year, according to Euromonitor, as the Delhi High Court paused FSSAI's ban on the 'energy drink' label for PepsiCo, Monster and Reliance Consumer Products. Red Bull got similar relief last week, and hearings continue in coming weeks.
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The numbers
Figures from exchange4media,
| India energy drink market value expected by 2028: | $1.6 billion |
|---|---|
| Reliance court filing date: | October 1 |
Why it matters for the brand
Keep 'energy drink' labelling and shelf placement as they are while the Delhi High Court's interim relief holds, but line up a relabelling contingency in case FSSAI's ban is reinstated after the coming hearings.
What to track next
- The next Delhi High Court order extending or vacating the interim relief
- FSSAI's formal reply, or any amended notification or labelling advisory on caffeinated beverages
- New petitions or interventions from other energy-drink makers or industry bodies
- Any brand announcing a pack redesign or a rename away from 'energy drink'
- Category sales data against Euromonitor's 12.6% annual growth rate
Likely next moves
Our read of what comes next — analysis, not reported by the source.
- FSSAI is likely to file a detailed reply defending the 'energy drink' label ban and to argue that the term misleads consumers.
- Other beverage makers selling under the 'energy drink' label may file similar petitions, now that Red Bull and three more companies have secured interim relief.
- PepsiCo, Monster Beverage, Reliance Consumer Products and Red Bull are likely to keep their current labels and marketing in place while the hearings continue.
- Reliance Consumer Products is likely to press its challenge, filed on 1 October, as it builds share in a category Euromonitor expects to reach $1.6 billion by 2028.
- Retailers and distributors are likely to keep stocking existing 'energy drink' labelled inventory, while some may hold back on large forward orders until the court's direction is clearer.