India’s food safety regulator has proposed prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products intended for infants up to six months old, in a move aimed at strengthening nutritional standards and reducing early exposure to added sugars.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published a draft amendment to the country’s infant nutrition regulations on October 16, following concerns about the effects of added sugars on children’s long-term health.
The proposal seeks to ensure that infant nutrition products meet babies’ specific dietary needs without unnecessary added sugars during the first six months of life.
Tighter Rules for Infant Nutrition
Under the existing regulations, lactose and glucose polymers are preferred carbohydrate sources in infant nutrition products. Sucrose and fructose may also be added when required as carbohydrate sources, subject to prescribed limits.
The proposed amendment would remove that allowance for products intended for infants up to six months of age. If adopted, manufacturers would have to adjust their formulations to comply with the new restriction.
The measure forms part of India’s broader efforts to strengthen food safety standards and address dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and other long-term health concerns.
Protecting Infant Health
India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the first six months are a critical period for growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important.
The proposal also supports established public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
The move follows wider scrutiny of added sugar in packaged foods in India, including concerns about the nutritional composition of products marketed for young children. The proposed restriction could have implications for manufacturers operating in the country’s infant nutrition market.
Public Consultation Before Final Approval
The proposed amendment is not yet a final, enforceable ban. FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders during a 60-day consultation period before deciding whether to finalise the regulations.
Food manufacturers, industry groups and other interested parties will have an opportunity to submit their views before the authority determines the final requirements.
If approved, the amendment would strengthen safeguards governing infant nutrition products and reinforce India’s efforts to promote healthier feeding practices from the earliest stages of life.
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