Taking a significant step toward strengthening nutritional safety for infants, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft amendment to the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020’. The draft proposes a ban on the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products intended for infants up to 6 months of age.
The ‘Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026’, published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, aims to further reinforce the existing regulatory framework. Its objective is to ensure that infant nutrition products are formulated based on the essential nutrients required for the specific age group, with a particular emphasis on minimising the intake of ‘added sugars’ during the early stages of life.
The current regulations provide detailed guidelines regarding the nutritional composition, quality, and safety standards for various infant nutrition products intended for children from birth up to 24 months of age. Under these existing rules, lactose and glucose polymers are preferred as sources of carbohydrates, while sucrose or fructose may only be added if necessary as a carbohydrate source—and even then, only within specified limits.
Building upon these regulations, the draft amendment proposes a specific prohibition on the addition of sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to 6 months old. The proposed rule states that “sucrose and fructose shall not be added to products formulated for infants up to 6 months of age.”
The first 6 months of life represent a critical period for healthy growth and development; therefore, receiving appropriate nutrition during this time is especially vital. The proposed restriction aims to ensure that the nutritional needs of infants are met without the addition of unnecessary amounts of sucrose or fructose to their nutritional products. This move is also intended to support broader public health initiatives aimed at addressing concerns regarding the consumption of excess sugar during early childhood—specifically, by mitigating risk factors for childhood obesity and related health issues.
This initiative reinforces established public health recommendations that advocate for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. By tightening standards for infant nutritional products, the proposed amendment promotes appropriate infant feeding practices and encourages manufacturers to develop products that prioritise the specific nutritional requirements of young infants.
This draft notification has been released for public consultation, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders. Such feedback may be submitted within 60 days from the date on which the official gazette containing this notification is made available to the public. Before finalising the amendment, the FSSAI will review all suggestions and objections received within the stipulated timeframe.
