Published Oct 18, 2026 | 5:04 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2026 | 5:04 PM
The FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 60 days.
Synopsis: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed banning the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products intended for infants up to six months of age to address health risks associated with early exposure to added sugars. The draft amendment is open for public consultation for 60 days.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products intended for infants up to six months of age, seeking to restrict their exposure to added sugars during early infancy.
The proposed amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, would remove the existing provision that permits sucrose and/or fructose as carbohydrate sources, subject to prescribed limits and conditions.
Published in the Gazette of India on 16 October, the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, is open for public consultation.
The draft proposes inserting a proviso into Regulation 3(6) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020. It states: “sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months”.
In a statement, the FSSAI said the draft sought to strengthen existing standards by “ensuring that infant nutrition products are formulated in accordance with age-appropriate nutritional requirements, with particular emphasis on minimising exposure to added sugars during the earliest stages of life”.
The Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, prescribe nutritional composition, quality and safety requirements for infant nutrition products intended for children from birth to 24 months.
The regulations identify lactose and glucose polymers as the preferred carbohydrate sources. They also permit the addition of sucrose and/or fructose when required, subject to prescribed limits and conditions.
The FSSAI said the change was intended to ensure that such products meet young infants’ nutritional requirements without unnecessary additions of sucrose and fructose.
“The first six months of life represent a critical period for healthy growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important,” the authority said.
The proposal also seeks to complement public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. The FSSAI said it formed part of broader efforts to address dietary risk factors associated with early exposure to added sugars, including childhood obesity and related health challenges.
The FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 60 days of copies of the Official Gazette containing the draft notification being made available to the public.
Representations can be sent to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, at FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi, or emailed to regulation@fssai.gov.in. The FSSAI will examine the representations received before finalising the amendment.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
