Politics · India Bureau
FSSAI scrutinizes infant formula sector as doctors champion breastfeeding
India's food regulator has intensified oversight of infant formula products, with medical professionals reiterating that natural breastfeeding remains the gold standard for newborn nutrition. Doctors say alternative options like bovine milk and regulated milk bank services should only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
LSN India ·
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a comprehensive examination of the infant formula industry, signalling renewed regulatory focus on products marketed as breast milk substitutes. The drive comes as the medical community reinforces evidence-based guidance on optimal infant feeding practices.
Physicians across the country are emphasizing that maternal breast milk remains the only universally recommended nutrition source for infants, providing irreplaceable immunological and developmental benefits. Medical experts stress that lactation is the natural continuation of pregnancy and childbirth, and represents the optimal feeding method for newborns and young children.
In situations where breastfeeding is not possible, doctors have identified limited alternatives approved by health authorities. These include Nandini milk—a standardized bovine milk product—as well as donor milk sourced through regulated milk banks operating at both private and government hospitals. Such options are reserved for exceptional cases where direct breastfeeding cannot be established or sustained.
The regulatory action by FSSAI reflects broader global health consensus, with major health organizations consistently recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. The scrutiny of infant formula products aims to ensure consumer protection and adherence to nutrition standards while supporting public health initiatives that promote natural feeding practices.