India's energy drinks market is facing increased regulatory scrutiny after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) accused PepsiCo and Monster Beverage of misleading consumers by marketing their high-caffeine beverages under the label 'energy drink'. According to court filings reviewed by Reuters, the regulator has argued that India has never established a formal standard for an energy drink category and that using the term could amount to misbranding.

The dispute forms part of India's wider food safety and labelling crackdown. PepsiCo, which introduced Sting in India in 2017, and Monster Beverage have separately challenged FSSAI's June decision restricting the use of the term 'energy drink'. Both companies have argued that the regulator acted without prior warning or giving them an opportunity to be heard.

In court filings dated October 28, FSSAI sought dismissal of the challenges, stating, "Purposely in order to dupe the consumers, a product is being marketed as a 'Energy Drink'."

The Delhi High Court has allowed companies to sell their existing stock carrying the 'energy drink' label, but has not permitted the use of the wording on new stock. The regulator's position is that the issue concerns product naming, labelling and advertising claims rather than an outright ban on caffeinated beverages.

What Is FSSAI Objecting To?

FSSAI maintains that no dedicated standard has been notified for an 'energy drink' category under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the related regulations. It argues that using the term may create an impression that the product offers specific functional or health benefits that are not recognised under the existing framework.

The regulator has also raised concerns about claims such as 'vitalises body and mind', 'enhances focus', 'boosts energy levels' and 'helps in general weakness'. Such statements may fall under functional or therapeutic claims that food products cannot make unless they are specifically permitted and supported by the applicable regulations.

The reported direction issued on June 30 asked PepsiCo to stop using 'energy' as a product name or descriptor. Labels, marketing material and advertisements carrying the term were reportedly required to be withdrawn or changed within 90 days.

However, the action does not mean that caffeine-based beverages are prohibited in India. The focus is on how these products are classified, described and promoted to consumers.

Why Consumer Awareness Matters

The dispute has also brought attention to how consumers understand and consume beverages marketed for energy. Products containing caffeine, sugar and other ingredients such as taurine should not automatically be viewed as healthy drinks or substitutes for regular hydration.

Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages can contribute to excess calorie intake, weight gain and tooth decay, while also being associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. A typical can of a sugary drink may contain around 40 grams of free sugar, equivalent to approximately 10 teaspoons.

For consumers, moderation remains important. Water should be the first choice for everyday hydration, while plain milk, unsweetened tea or coffee and sparkling water can also be part of regular beverage choices. Soft drinks and highly caffeinated beverages are better treated as occasional choices rather than daily essentials. Even zero-sugar alternatives should not automatically be considered everyday wellness drinks.

India's ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines, 2024, recommend limiting free sugar and avoiding frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. The broader message is to understand what a beverage contains rather than relying only on its marketing or product name.

The Need for Clearer Standards and Labelling

The ongoing dispute highlights the need for a clear and consistent regulatory framework for high-caffeine beverages. FSSAI could consider notifying a dedicated standard for energy drinks or clearly retaining the existing caffeinated beverage classification, with unambiguous definitions, permitted ingredients, caffeine limits and packaging requirements.

A practical framework could include clear caffeine limits, serving-size guidance and detailed ingredient disclosure. The existing caffeine range for caffeinated beverages is 145–300 mg per litre. Regulations could also make caffeine content easier to understand by requiring brands to display the amount per serving and per container, rather than relying only on information per litre.

Labels should clearly disclose caffeine, total sugar, sweeteners, taurine, vitamins, botanical extracts and other stimulant-like ingredients. Front-of-pack information could also highlight high caffeine content and advise consumers against combining these products with alcohol or other caffeine sources.

Warnings for children, pregnant or lactating women and caffeine-sensitive individuals should be clearly visible. The existing framework includes a daily-intake statement of no more than 500 ml and specific consumer warnings. Stronger visibility and awareness could help consumers make informed choices.

Responsible Advertising and Brand Communication

The issue extends beyond packaging to advertising and brand positioning. Under FSSAI's Advertising and Claims Regulations, food-related claims must be truthful, clear, non-misleading and supported by appropriate evidence.

Brands should avoid unsupported statements suggesting that a beverage improves concentration, increases stamina, addresses weakness or delivers specific mental and physical benefits. The presence of vitamins, taurine or other ingredients should not be used to create an impression that a product is suitable for daily wellness.

The same standards should apply across television advertisements, packaging, e-commerce platforms, quick-commerce listings, social media campaigns and influencer promotions. Sports and gaming partnerships should also avoid suggesting that consuming such beverages is necessary for athletic performance or success.

Clear caffeine and sugar information, responsible age-related messaging and warnings against excessive consumption should form part of brand communication.

Consistent Enforcement and Consumer Protection

The regulatory approach also needs to be consistent across manufacturers and sales channels. Regular label audits, batch-level testing of caffeine and declared ingredients, transparent compliance timelines and clear guidance for manufacturers could help improve enforcement.

Consumer awareness campaigns by FSSAI and state food-safety departments can further explain why energy drinks should not be treated as sports or hydration drinks, why excessive caffeine consumption can affect sleep and why combining these products with alcohol should be avoided.

The industry has also called for stakeholder consultation, risk assessment and predictable implementation of regulatory changes. A transparent process could reduce uncertainty for manufacturers while allowing the regulator to address misleading claims and protect consumers.

Ultimately, the issue is not simply about removing the words 'energy drink' from a label. It is about ensuring that product names, packaging and advertisements accurately communicate what consumers are purchasing. As India's market for these beverages continues to grow, responsible branding, clear regulations and informed consumption will be important in balancing business interests with public health.

Severe weather conditions associated with Cyclone Murasu have disrupted travel across parts of Andhra Pradesh, affecting flight and railway services. Gale-force winds and heavy rainfall led to the suspension of train movements along the Vijayawada–Ongole–Gudur section, leaving several passengers stranded and causing major delays to services connecting Chennai with different parts of North India.

According to the details shared, more than 35 trains were cancelled, while nearly 29 trains were regulated, including 19 in the UP direction and 10 in the DOWN direction. Select services of the Pinakini Express, the Secunderabad–Thiruvananthapuram Sabari Express via Coimbatore, and local passenger trains operating on the Vijayawada–Gudur route were among those affected.

The disruption also impacted the Charminar Express operating between Hyderabad and Tambaram, along with connected services. With train movements suspended by the Vijayawada Division, several trains faced delays exceeding 12 hours. Some services were held between stations such as Chirala and Ongole, near Ammanabrolu, as a safety measure amid the severe weather.

For passengers onboard, the extended halt brought additional challenges. Travellers were reportedly inside trains for more than 12 hours, with limited access to food and tea. Delays in receiving clear information and updates from the authorities added to the uncertainty, making an already difficult journey more stressful.

While suspending train services during severe weather is important to protect passengers and railway operations, the situation also highlights the need for better passenger support during unexpected disruptions. Timely communication about cancellations, rescheduling, route changes and expected delays can help travellers make informed decisions and plan their onward journeys.

Access to basic essentials is equally important during prolonged train halts. Arrangements for drinking water, food, milk and baby food can make a significant difference, particularly for families travelling with children, senior citizens and passengers with specific needs.

Cyclones and heavy rainfall can create unpredictable challenges for India's transport network. However, passenger support should remain an important part of emergency planning. Along with prioritising safety and preventing accidents, railway authorities need to ensure that passengers receive regular updates and assistance throughout such disruptions.

The experience along the Vijayawada–Ongole–Gudur section serves as a reminder that managing travel during extreme weather goes beyond stopping or regulating train services. Clear communication, access to essential supplies and coordinated assistance can help make unexpected delays more manageable for passengers.

Mumbai's international aviation landscape is heading towards a significant transition, with the city's airport operator denying requested Summer 2027 flight slots to 11 Gulf and West Asian airlines amid plans to redevelop Terminal 1 and redistribute flight operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

According to reports, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), operated by the Adani Group-led airport network, has allocated slots to 38 of the 50 international airlines operating at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Twelve airlines, including 11 Gulf carriers, have not received their requested slots for the upcoming summer schedule beginning March 2027.

The affected airlines include Oman Air, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Jazeera Airways, flyadeal, flynas, Riyadh Air, Saudia and SalamAir.

Together, these carriers account for approximately 112 weekly departures from Mumbai, representing nearly 15% of the airport's existing 770 weekly international departures, according to Mint. The affected services cover 14 international destinations, including Doha, Dubai-region gateways, Jeddah, Riyadh, Muscat, Kuwait City and Bahrain.

Terminal redevelopment drives capacity restrictions

The decision follows MIAL's plan to reduce Mumbai airport's annual passenger-handling capacity by five million passengers from the Summer 2027 schedule. The reduction is linked to the redevelopment of Terminal 1, which requires operational adjustments and the redistribution of passenger traffic.

The airport operator has proposed shifting selected international services to the new Navi Mumbai International Airport, located approximately 50 kilometres from the existing airport.

While Indian carriers, including IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air, have agreed to move portions of their international operations to Navi Mumbai, several foreign airlines have resisted the proposal.

International carriers have raised concerns over operational readiness, ground-handling arrangements, cargo facilities, staffing requirements and the commercial implications of splitting operations between two airports.

The Airline Operators' Committee has also sought intervention from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, questioning the unilateral nature of the decision and its compliance with existing airport slot allocation guidelines.

MIAL has maintained that the affected airlines' historical slots will be restored once additional capacity becomes available following the terminal expansion.

What does this mean for hospitality and tourism?

The development could have implications beyond aviation, particularly for India's hospitality and tourism businesses.

Gulf countries represent important source markets for Indian tourism, business travel, medical tourism and visiting friends and relatives. Changes in flight availability, departure airports and passenger convenience could influence travel decisions, particularly for visitors arriving through Mumbai.

For hotels, travel operators and destination management companies, the immediate concern will be maintaining seamless arrival experiences and managing potential changes in international flight schedules.

Corporate travel, luxury hospitality and inbound tourism businesses may also need to reassess airport transfers, guest communication and travel arrangements as operations transition.

However, the actual impact will depend on how many airlines relocate their services to Navi Mumbai, how efficiently the new airport handles international operations and whether passenger connectivity remains commercially viable.

As Mumbai prepares for a major airport infrastructure transformation, the challenge will be balancing redevelopment requirements with international connectivity. For India's hospitality industry, the larger question is whether infrastructure expansion can take place without compromising the accessibility and convenience that international travellers expect.