Shillong, August 17: The Meghalaya Government has withdrawn with immediate effect the interim statewide freeze and prohibition on the sale, stocking and distribution of STING Energy Drink, after an inquiry found no causal relationship between consumption of the beverage and the reported death of a student.
The order was issued by Commissioner of Food Safety Dr Joram Beda, IAS, on August 15, 2026, following an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the reported incident.
The Commissionerate had earlier imposed an interim statewide restriction on STING Energy Drink on August 14 as a precautionary measure following media reports and representations raising public health concerns over the reported death of a student allegedly associated with consumption of the caffeinated beverage.
The government clarified that the earlier restriction was purely precautionary and did not amount to any finding that the product had caused or contributed to the reported incident, or that the product or its manufacturer had violated the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Following the restriction, the Food Safety Officer conducted an inquiry and submitted a report from Tura dated August 14, 2026. According to the statutory order, the inquiry did not establish any causal relationship between consumption of STING Energy Drink and the reported death.
On considering the inquiry report and the material available on record, the Commissionerate said there was no ground arising from the reported incident to continue the precautionary interim restriction.
Accordingly, the statewide freeze and prohibition on the sale, stocking and distribution of STING Energy Drink was withdrawn with immediate effect.
The order, however, clarified that withdrawal of the restriction should not be interpreted as a special certification or endorsement of the product or manufacturer.
Food Business Operators have also been directed to continue complying with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related rules and regulations. Routine surveillance, sampling and regulatory enforcement of food products in Meghalaya will continue in the normal course.
