FSSAI has proposed banning the addition of sucrose and fructose in nutrition products for infants up to six months under draft 2026 regulations. Public feedback is invited within 60 days.
New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose to nutrition products intended for infants up to six months of age, as part of efforts to strengthen food safety standards and limit early exposure to added sugars.
The proposal is contained in the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on October 16. The draft has been opened for public consultation, with stakeholders invited to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days of the notification being made available to the public.
The proposed change seeks to ensure that infant nutrition products meet age-appropriate nutritional requirements, particularly during the first six months of life, a crucial period for growth and development.
Under the existing Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, the FSSAI prescribes nutritional composition, quality and safety requirements for different categories of infant food products intended for children from birth to 24 months.
The current framework identifies lactose and glucose polymers as preferred carbohydrate sources. However, it permits the addition of sucrose and fructose when required as carbohydrate sources, subject to specified limits.
The proposed amendment introduces a specific restriction for products intended for infants up to six months of age.
“Sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months,” the draft notification states.
If finalised, the amendment would require manufacturers to ensure that products covered by the provision comply with the proposed restriction.
The FSSAI has emphasised the importance of appropriate nutrition during the first six months of life. Limiting unnecessary exposure to added sugars is part of broader public health efforts to promote healthier dietary practices from infancy.
Early exposure to added sugars is a concern because dietary habits established during childhood can influence long-term food preferences and nutritional outcomes. Excessive sugar consumption is also associated with increased risks of obesity and related health complications.
The proposed restriction is intended to encourage manufacturers to formulate infant nutrition products in line with the nutritional needs of young infants, while avoiding the addition of sucrose and fructose where prohibited.
The proposal also aligns with established public health recommendations that advocate exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, wherever possible and appropriate.
By tightening the standards governing infant nutrition products, the food regulator aims to reinforce age-appropriate feeding practices and strengthen safeguards for children's health.
The draft forms part of the FSSAI's broader approach to science-based food regulation, responsible product formulation and preventive nutrition.
The proposed amendment is not yet a final regulation. The FSSAI has invited stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days from the date the draft notification was made available to the public.
The regulator will examine the representations received during the consultation process before deciding whether to finalise the amendment.
The final provisions and their implementation will depend on the outcome of that process.
