Sting (PepsiCo): FSSAI record

Update, 3 Nov 2026: PepsiCo appealed the 6 Oct condition that bars it from making new stock with the term. On 12 Oct 2026 a division bench of the Delhi High Court (Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma) did not rule on the merits; it found the single judge had not recorded 'specific reasons' for refusing manufacture and sent the matter back to be decided with reasons within a week, noting: 'What is in operation is an ad-interim relief in the matter.' FSSAI argued the appeal was not maintainable. On 15 Oct 2026 the court declined PepsiCo's request for urgent permission to keep making Sting and Adrenaline Rush with the label (PepsiCo said 492 million bottles and 26 million cans with the labels were in circulation as of 31 Jul) and listed the manufacture plea for 30 Oct 2026. Justice Amit Mahajan's stay continues until the next hearing on 5 Nov 2026. We found no report of the outcome on 30 Oct.

Update, 8 Oct 2026: the label order is now in court. On 29 Sep 2026 the Delhi High Court set aside FSSAI's order against Red Bull because the company had not been given a show-cause notice or a hearing; FSSAI may decide afresh after hearing it. On 6 Oct 2026 the same court stayed FSSAI's orders, and its 17 Jul letter asking states to enforce them, for PepsiCo (Sting), Monster and Reliance (Campa Energy). PepsiCo and Monster may sell stock made up to 6 Oct with the old label but may not make new stock with the term; the next hearing is on 5 Nov 2026. No court relief has been reported for Hell or other brands.

Sting, PepsiCo's low-priced energy drink, is covered by three separate government actions in 2025 to 2026, none of which is a national ban. FSSAI's June 2026 orders apply to the whole category: the words 'energy drink' must go, the product must be labelled 'Caffeinated beverage', caffeine must sit within 145 to 300 mg per litre and warning statements must appear. FSSAI refused to extend the 29 Sep 2026 deadline.

Maharashtra singled Sting out. On 3 Jul 2026 the state's FDA minister announced that its sale would be barred within 500 metres of schools, a zonal restriction aimed at children rather than a withdrawal from the market. Rajasthan's 10 Jul 2026 order named Sting among eight brands whose sale, storage and promotion it prohibited statewide; the list comes from news reports, as the state notification is not online. Punjab's 26 Apr 2025 directive bars sale to minors and near schools across the category.

There is no recall, test failure or licence suspension against PepsiCo India for Sting on record.