FSSAI proposes ban on sucrose, fructose in infant foods up to 6 months
Synopsis
India's food regulator FSSAI has moved to ban sucrose and fructose in infant foods for babies under six months — a targeted restriction on added sugars during the most critical developmental window. With a 60-day public consultation now open, manufacturers of infant formula will face pressure to reformulate products or risk non-compliance once the amendment is finalised.
Key Takeaways
FSSAI published a draft amendment on 16 October 2026 proposing a ban on sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months of age.
The proposal is part of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 .
Existing rules permit sucrose and fructose in limited quantities as carbohydrate sources; the amendment would remove this for the zero-to-six-months bracket.
The draft is open for public objections and suggestions for 60 days from gazette notification.
The move aims to reduce early exposure to added sugars, addressing dietary risk factors linked to childhood obesity , and complements recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft amendment that would prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed on 17 October 2026. The proposal, gazetted on 16 October 2026, is open for public consultation for 60 days before it can be finalised.
What the Draft Amendment Proposes
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 seeks to build on the existing regulatory framework by introducing a targeted restriction on added sugars in the most vulnerable age group. Under current rules, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources for infant nutrition products, while sucrose or fructose may be added only when required as a carbohydrate source and within prescribed limits. The proposed amendment would remove that discretion entirely for products designed for infants under six months.
Why the First Six Months Matter
Regulatory and public health experts widely regard the first six months of life as a critical window for healthy growth and neurological development, making the composition of nutrition products particularly consequential. FSSAI's rationale, as stated in the official communication, is to minimise early exposure to added sugars — a dietary risk factor linked to childhood obesity and related metabolic health challenges. The proposed restriction also aligns with established recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during this period.
Scope of Existing Infant Nutrition Rules
The current FSSAI regulations already prescribe comprehensive nutritional composition, quality, and safety standards for infant nutrition products covering children from birth to 24 months. The draft amendment does not overhaul this entire framework; it adds a specific prohibition within that broader structure, targeting the zero-to-six-months segment where nutritional sensitivity is highest.
Public Consultation and Next Steps
Stakeholders — including manufacturers, paediatricians, and consumer groups — have been invited to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days of the gazette notification. All representations received within the prescribed window will be reviewed by FSSAI before the amendment is finalised. The move is expected to prompt infant formula and complementary food manufacturers to reformulate products targeting the youngest age bracket. Industry observers note that it also sends a regulatory signal ahead of a broader review of infant nutrition standards anticipated in the coming months.
Point of View
If narrow, step — but its real impact will depend on enforcement and the breadth of products it ultimately covers. Infant formula has long operated in a regulatory grey zone in India, where labelling gaps and marketing practices have drawn criticism from paediatric bodies. A targeted sugar ban for under-six-month products is scientifically sound, but without mandatory reformulation timelines and post-market surveillance, manufacturers could delay compliance. The 60-day consultation window is also an opportunity for the processed food lobby to dilute the scope — a pattern seen in past FSSAI amendments.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the FSSAI draft amendment on infant food propose?
The draft amendment proposes an outright ban on the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age. It was published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026 and is currently open for public consultation for 60 days.
Why is FSSAI targeting sucrose and fructose in infant foods?
FSSAI states the restriction is aimed at minimising early exposure to added sugars, which are linked to childhood obesity and related metabolic health challenges. The first six months of life are considered a critical period for healthy growth, making age-appropriate nutrition especially important.
What are the current rules on sugars in infant nutrition products?
Under existing FSSAI regulations, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources for infant nutrition products. Sucrose or fructose may currently be added only when required as a carbohydrate source and within prescribed limits — a discretion the proposed amendment would remove for the under-six-months segment.
How can stakeholders respond to the draft amendment?
FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from all stakeholders — including manufacturers, healthcare professionals, and consumer groups — within 60 days of the gazette notification dated 16 October 2026. All representations received will be considered before the amendment is finalised.
Which products are covered under FSSAI's existing infant nutrition regulations?
The existing FSSAI framework covers infant nutrition products for children from birth up to 24 months of age, prescribing nutritional composition, quality, and safety standards across that range. The new draft amendment adds a specific restriction within this framework for the most vulnerable sub-group — infants up to six months.
