FSSAI orders immediate removal of misleading ORS-labelled beverages
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
In News
- The FSSAI has directed the authorities to immediately remove from sale all fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, energy drinks, electrolyte beverages, and similar products that are being marketed using the term ORS.
About ORS
- ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) denotes standardized, WHO–UNICEF–recommended sachets that are dissolved in clean water to make an Oral Rehydration Solution for oral rehydration therapy.
- Its primary purpose is to prevent and treat dehydration from acute diarrhoea (including cholera) in all age groups, especially children in low- and middle-income countries where diarrhoeal disease is a leading cause of under‑5 mortality.
- The current WHO low‑osmolarity ORS formulation contains sodium chloride, anhydrous glucose, potassium chloride and trisodium citrate dihydrate in precise amounts.
- Glucose is included at a controlled concentration to exploit the sodium–glucose co‑transport mechanism in the small intestine, thereby enhancing intestinal absorption of sodium and, consequently, water.
Source: TH
Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
In News
- India described the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) as a key instrument for expanding equitable and technology-driven climate action at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
About
- The JCM is a bilateral initiative that allows a partner country, such as India, to cooperate with Japan to implement low-carbon projects and receive carbon credits.
- These credits, generated from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, can be used by both countries to help meet their national climate targets.
- The JCM facilitates technology transfer, mobilizes investment in green technologies, and promotes sustainable development in the partner country.
- The framework functions under Paris Agreement Article 6, ensuring transparent credit sharing, environmental integrity, and finance mobilization.
Source: AIR
Pharmacogenomics
Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology
In News
- Pharmacogenomics is transforming medicine by tailoring drug prescriptions to a patient’s genetic makeup.
Pharmacogenomics
- Overview: Pharmacogenomics is a field that combines pharmacology and genomics to understand how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to drugs.
- It aims to tailor drug prescriptions based on genetic profiles to achieve maximum safety and efficacy in treatment.
- Purpose: Pharmacogenomics helps predict which medications will be effective for a person, which ones may not work, and which could cause adverse drug reactions. This allows for personalized treatment plans.
- Challenges: Wider adoption faces hurdles such as limited access to genetic testing, lack of comprehensive data representing diverse populations, and the complexity of integrating pharmacogenomic information into routine clinical practice.
Source: TH
Dark Patterns
Syllabus: GS3/Cyber Security
In News
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) announced that 26 digital storefronts, including Flipkart, Meesho, BlinkIt, Zomato, BigBasket, and Reliance Retail, declared compliance with the 2023 guidelines against “dark patterns”
“Dark patterns”
- Dark patterns are deceptive UI/UX (user interface/user experience) design practices that mislead users into actions they did not intend, undermining consumer autonomy, choice, and decision-making.
- They are treated as misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, or violations of consumer rights.
Impacts
- Dark patterns undermine user autonomy, causing unintended purchases, overuse, privacy risks, and misleading ads that erode trust.
Measures
- Dark patterns fall under the category of “unfair trade practices” as defined in the Sub-section 47 under Section 2 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- Central Consumer Protection Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, issued “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023” for prevention and regulation of dark patterns listing 13 specified dark patterns identified in e-Commerce sector.
Source: TH
CAFE-3 Norms
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
- India’s plan to tighten fuel-efficiency rules under the proposed third phase of the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) rules from FY28 has opened a sharp divide within the auto industry.
About
- Carmakers split over how the next phase of norms should treat small and large vehicles.
- The framework sticks to a weight-based formula that steadily tightens through FY32, but its structure means lighter cars face far steeper improvements than heavier SUVs.
- The onus of reducing emissions is much higher on smaller cars than it is for bigger, heavier SUVs.
- They feel that in bigger cars, there is a greater scope of implementing emissions-reducing technologies, such as hybrid or full electric powertrains.
- But, in smaller cars, the scope is far less as these are built to a budget.
India’s Current CAFE Norms
- The Bureau of Energy Efficiency introduced the CAFE norms in 2017 to regulate fuel consumption and carbon emissions from passenger vehicles.
- These norms apply to vehicles running on petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) weighing less than 3,500 kg.
- The norms were tightened in the beginning of financial year 2022-23, with increased penalties for non-compliance.
- These norms are designed to reduce oil dependency and curb air pollution.
Source: IE
Acanthosis Nigricans
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- Acanthosis Nigricans can manifest in skin folds and creases on skin closely linked to the insulin resistance.
About
- Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is a skin condition characterised by dark, velvety patches on skin folds.
- The skin changes associated with AN do not appear overnight, but develop gradually over the course several months.
- It is strongly linked to insulin resistance, which makes it an important early warning sign for prediabetes and diabetes.
- In children and young adults, the presence of AN is often considered a clinical marker of rising diabetes risk.
- Causes for AN can be obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and extremely rarely, in melanomas, stomach or liver malignancies.
- Treatment: In most cases related to obesity or insulin resistance, improving metabolic health can help lighten the skin discoloration.
- People with obesity may be encouraged to lose weight by making dietary modifications and lifestyle changes.
- Medications for insulin resistance and/or obesity may be used along with dietary and lifestyle modifications if the case profile mandates the same.
Source: TH
The India International Trade Fair
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- The India International Trade Fair (IITF), held at Bharat Mandapam, stands as one of India’s largest and most culturally immersive exhibitions.
About
- It is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- This annual event provides a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers.
- It is held every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
- It is recognised as one of the largest integrated trade fairs in South Asia.
- It was first held in 1980.
- Theme: ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
- Each pavilion carries the distinct identity of its state — from handlooms and tribal art in Jharkhand, to the intricate metalwork displayed by Uttar Pradesh, to the vibrant block-prints of Rajasthan.
Significance
- Generates huge business footfalls and B2B deals.
- Boosts India’s image as a major trading and investment destination.
- Showcases India’s cultural diversity through state pavilions.
- Provides market linkages for artisans and handicraft sectors.
- Strengthens India’s economic diplomacy through international participation.
- Helps build global value-chain linkages.
Source: PIB
