FSSAI Proposes Nationwide Ban on Added Sucrose and Fructose in Infant Food Products

The Hindu•Published: Oct 17, 2026 06:22 PM IST

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a nationwide prohibition on adding sucrose and fructose to food products manufactured for infants up to six months of age. Published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, aims to curb early exposure to added sugars among newborns. The regulatory move is designed to ensure early dietary habits align with infant metabolic needs and prevent long-term public health risks.

Proposed Regulatory Changes: The draft amendment explicitly mandates that sucrose and fructose shall not be added to any commercial nutritional products intended for infants in the first six months of life.
Shift From Existing Norms: Under the existing Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2020, lactose and glucose polymers were preferred carbohydrate sources, but sucrose and fructose were still permitted within prescribed limits.
Health Risks & WHO Alignment: The Union government noted that early sugar exposure triggers adverse dietary preferences linked to childhood obesity, while aligning the policy with World Health Organization recommendations advocating exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
Public Consultation Window: The regulatory body has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the general public within a 60-day window before finalizing and notifying the new standards.

The Context & Background

This regulatory intervention follows mounting global scrutiny over sugar content in commercial baby formulas and packaged infant cereals. The health ministry noted that the first six months represent a critical developmental window where inappropriate nutritional inputs can establish lifelong risks of metabolic disorders.

What It Means For You:For parents and caregivers, this regulatory overhaul ensures that commercial infant formulas and baby foods sold across India will soon be free from hidden sweetening agents that alter early taste preferences. Stricter standards will compel nutritional manufacturers to reformulate products, significantly reducing the long-term risks of childhood obesity, early dental decay, and adolescent metabolic complications.

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