FSSAI draft amendment proposes prohibiting sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months

Key facts

• FSSAI has published a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, proposing to prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age.
• The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 has been published for public consultation, with stakeholders able to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days; the regulator will consider all representations before finalising the amendment.
• Currently, regulations cover infant nutrition products for children from birth up to 24 months, with lactose and glucose polymers as preferred carbohydrate sources, while sucrose and/or fructose could be added only when required as a carbohydrate source within prescribed limits.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the move aims to strengthen nutritional safeguards for infants, minimise exposure to added sugars in the earliest stages of life, and address dietary risk factors linked to childhood obesity.
• The initiative complements public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and encourages manufacturers to prioritise young infants' nutritional requirements.