FSSAI proposes ban on added sugars in infant formula: Why it wants to act and how sucrose, fructose can harm children

India’s food regulator has proposed a ban on added sugar in foods intended for children under six months of age. According to the proposed amendment, manufacturers would not be allowed to add sucrose or fructose as ingredients to products made for this age group.

“FSSAI proposes to strengthen infant nutrition standards by restricting the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants under six months of age,” the regulator said on X (formerly Twitter).

Draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations 2026 was published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026.

It seeks to further strengthen the existing regulatory framework by ensuring that baby food products are formulated in accordance with age-appropriate nutritional requirements, with particular emphasis on minimizing exposure to added sugars in the earliest stages of life.

Why the food regulator wants to bring about change

The currently valid regulations prescribe the nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for various categories of infant food products intended for children from birth to 24 months of age.

According to the existing rules, the preferred carbohydrate sources are lactose and glucose polymers, while sucrose and fructose can only be added if required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits.

Read also | FSSAI issues notices to Nestlé India, HUL regarding misleading products; Check the claims

The FSSAI is trying to tighten these provisions by completely banning the addition of sucrose and fructose in infant products. In its proposal, the food regulator emphasized the importance of appropriate nutrition during the first six months of life, a critical period for healthy growth and development.

Sucrose, the scientific name for table sugar, is a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many fruits, vegetables, and grains, but it is also added to many processed foods, such as baby formula, candy, ice cream, and breakfast cereals. Sucrose in processed foods is commonly obtained from sugar cane or sugar beet.

Fructose, on the other hand, also occurs naturally in fruits, honey, agave and most root vegetables. In addition, it is commonly added to processed foods in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

How added sugars pose health risks to infants

The proposed restriction is consistent with broader public health efforts to address concerns about early exposure to added sugars, including dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and related health problems.

The move also complements public health recommendations that support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

A previous Mint report said young children exposed to high levels of added sugar could face immediate dental health risks, including tooth decay and tooth decay, as well as long-term health problems such as childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes caused by insulin resistance.

Read also | FSSAI seeks to tighten infant formula rules: What changes are proposed?

By tightening standards for infant formula products, the proposed amendment seeks to promote appropriate infant feeding practices and ensure that manufacturers adopt formulas that prioritize the specific nutritional requirements of young infants.

The draft notification has been released for public consultation, with FSSAI inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 60 days of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette on 16 October.

The office will consider objections received during this 60-day period before finalizing the change. The proposed ban will only become part of the regulatory framework once the change is finalized and officially announced.