The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft amendment to ban the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products designed for infants up to six months of age. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare initiated this move to align infant nutrition standards with age-appropriate dietary requirements and reduce early exposure to added sugars.
The draft amendment, published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026, seeks to modify the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020. It proposes a specific restriction stating that sucrose and fructose shall not be added to products intended for infants up to six months old.
Key facts
- Draft amendment published in Gazette of India on 16 October 2026
- Applies to infant nutrition products for children from birth to six months
- Prohibits addition of sucrose and fructose in this age category
- Public consultation period: 60 days from date copies of Official Gazette are made available
- Current regulations already limit sucrose and fructose to prescribed amounts
- Existing regulations cover infant products for children from birth to 24 months
What the current rules allow
The existing Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, already establish nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for infant nutrition products across different age groups up to 24 months. Under these rules, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources for infant foods. Sucrose and fructose are currently permitted only when needed as carbohydrate sources, but only up to specified limits.
What the new amendment proposes
The draft amendment takes a stricter approach for the most vulnerable age group. It seeks to completely eliminate the addition of sucrose and fructose in products made for infants aged zero to six months. This is more restrictive than current rules, which allow these sugars within limits for this age group.
The first six months of life are a critical developmental period. During this time, infants have specific nutritional needs that differ significantly from older children. The amendment recognises this by targeting the youngest age category specifically, while allowing manufacturers greater flexibility for products intended for infants older than six months.
Why this change matters for child health
Exposure to added sugars in early infancy is linked to increased risk of childhood obesity and related health conditions later in life. The proposed restriction aligns with public health recommendations that promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months. For infants who require formula or other prepared nutrition products, minimising added sugars reduces unnecessary dietary risk factors during this critical growth phase.
The amendment also encourages manufacturers to reformulate products to meet genuine nutritional needs of young infants without relying on sucrose or fructose. Since lactose and glucose polymers can serve as carbohydrate sources, the ban does not compromise nutritional completeness.
How the process works
This is a draft amendment, not yet finalised into law. The FSSAI has published it for public consultation. Stakeholders, including manufacturers, healthcare professionals, parent groups and members of the public, have 60 days from when copies of the Official Gazette are made available to submit objections or suggestions. The FSSAI will review all representations received within this period before finalising the amendment.
What this means for you
If you purchase infant nutrition products for babies under six months, the amendment, once finalised, will ensure these products no longer contain added sucrose or fructose. This strengthens safety standards without restricting availability of essential nutrition. Manufacturers will need to reformulate their products to comply, but this should not affect the nutritional adequacy or availability of infant foods.
For parents relying on exclusive breastfeeding, the amendment does not change existing recommendations. For those using formula or supplementary nutrition products, this measure provides additional assurance about product composition during your infant’s most critical developmental period.
What happens next
The public consultation period runs for 60 days from when the Gazette copies are made available. Interested parties can submit objections or suggestions to the FSSAI during this window. After reviewing all submissions, the FSSAI will either finalise the amendment, modify it, or reject it. Once finalised, manufacturers will have a specified timeframe to reformulate products before the new rules take effect.