Politics · India Bureau
India's food regulator proposes ban on added sugars in infant formula
India's food safety authority has unveiled plans to prohibit fructose and sucrose in nutrition products for babies under six months, aiming to reduce early sugar exposure and protect infant health during critical developmental stages.
LSN India ·
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a draft amendment to tighten nutritional standards for infant food products, proposing a complete prohibition on added fructose and sucrose in formulations intended for children up to six months of age.
The proposed regulation, formally titled the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, seeks to strengthen existing safeguards by ensuring infant nutrition products align with age-appropriate dietary requirements. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare indicated that the move forms part of efforts to minimise children's early exposure to added sugars and protect their long-term health outcomes.
The current regulatory framework governing infant nutrition will be reinforced through this amendment, which has been published for public consultation. Industry stakeholders, health professionals, and consumers are being invited to submit feedback on the draft notification before final implementation.
The proposal reflects growing global recognition of the risks associated with early sugar consumption in infants. Excessive sugar intake during formative months has been linked to increased risk of obesity, dental problems, and metabolic disorders later in life. Health authorities across the world have increasingly restricted added sugars in products marketed for young children.