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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed banning the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products intended for infants up to six months of age.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the proposal on Saturday.
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, aim to strengthen nutritional safeguards for young infants.
FSSAI published the draft in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, inviting stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days.
The authority will review the submissions before finalising the amendment.
Existing regulations prescribe nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for infant nutrition products intended for children from birth to 24 months. They identify lactose and glucose polymers as preferred carbohydrate sources, while allowing manufacturers to add sucrose or fructose when necessary, subject to prescribed limits.
The proposed amendment seeks to prohibit the addition of these sugars to products intended for infants up to six months of age.
The move aims to ensure that such products meet infants’ specific nutritional requirements while limiting their early exposure to added sugars.
The Ministry highlighted the first six months of life as a critical period for healthy growth and development, when appropriate nutrition is essential.
The proposal forms part of broader public health efforts to address dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and related health concerns. It aligns with established public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
If finalised, the amendment would require manufacturers to prioritise the nutritional needs of young infants when formulating products covered by the regulations.
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