Meghalaya: The Meghalaya government has ordered an immediate statewide suspension of the sale and distribution of STING energy drink, citing public health concerns and the need to verify the product through laboratory testing.
The directive was issued on August 14 by Dr Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety, Meghalaya, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Food Safety Administration said it had received public complaints and formal representations raising concerns about the safety of the caffeinated beverage, including its ingredients, caffeine content and compliance with mandatory labelling requirements.
Officials also cited enforcement findings indicating that STING was widely available across Meghalaya and was being consumed by vulnerable groups, including schoolchildren and adolescents. The department said regulatory verification of the beverage’s composition and caffeine levels was still pending.
As a precaution, the government has prohibited all food business operators in the state from dealing in the product until the laboratory examination is completed. The restriction covers manufacturers, carrying and forwarding agents, stockists, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, vendors and online delivery platforms.
The order bars these entities from selling, displaying, offering for sale, stocking, marketing or distributing STING in any batch or form.
Businesses that currently have the beverage in stock have been instructed to segregate the products and preserve them without altering, moving or disposing of the inventory. Any transfer or disposal of the seized stock without authorisation from the Food Safety Administration has also been prohibited.
The department warned that violations could lead to proceedings under Sections 55 and 57 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with relevant rules and regulations.
The restriction applies throughout Meghalaya and will remain effective until further orders. The government is expected to review the matter after receiving and assessing the official laboratory test results.