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Breaking: FSSAI proposes ban on added sugar in infant foods for babies up to 6 months
Babushahi Bureau/PIB
New Delhi, October 17, 2026: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed banning the addition of sucrose and fructose, two types of sugar, in food products meant for babies up to six months of age.
The proposal is part of a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026.
Under the proposed amendment, manufacturers would not be allowed to add sucrose or fructose to infant food products intended for children in this age group. The move aims to strengthen nutritional standards and reduce unnecessary exposure to added sugars during the early months of life.
Currently, regulations allow sucrose and/or fructose to be added to certain infant nutrition products when required as a source of carbohydrates, subject to prescribed limits. The proposed amendment seeks to introduce a specific restriction for products intended for babies up to six months old.
The first six months are a crucial period for an infant’s growth and development. FSSAI said the proposed change is intended to ensure that products meet babies’ nutritional needs without the unnecessary addition of these sugars.
The proposal also supports public health recommendations encouraging exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
Draft Open for Public Feedback
FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders on the draft amendment within 60 days from the date the relevant Gazette notification becomes available to the public.
The authority will consider the feedback received within the prescribed period before finalising the amendment.
The restriction is currently a proposal and will not become a final regulatory requirement unless the amendment is formally adopted.