HC allows PepsiCo, Monster to sell existing stock of ‘energy drinks’

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed PepsiCo and Monster Beverage to sell their existing stock labelled as “energy drink” while asking them not to manufacture more products bearing the descriptor, Bar and Bench reported.

The companies had approached the court against orders passed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India around June 30, directing them to stop using the label “energy drink” for certain high-caffeine beverages. In subsequent orders, the regulator had also asked food safety officials across the country to seize the products.

The companies can sell stock manufactured up to Tuesday with the “energy drink” description, Live Law quoted the court as saying on Tuesday.

Justice Amit Mahajan said that he was staying the order to the extent that no coercive action will be taken against the companies till November 5, when the matter will be heard next, Bar and Bench reported.

While PepsiCo manufactures Sting Energy and Adrenaline Rush, Monster sells Monster Energy with the energy drink label.

Earlier in the day, the court stayed a similar order by the food safety regulator directing Reliance Consumer Products to remove the “energy drink” label from its Campa Energy Drink – Gold Boost, The Times of India reported. The firm is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries.

The court noted that the company was not given an opportunity to present its...

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