New Delhi, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft amendment proposing to prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products intended for infants up to six months of age, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, aims to strengthen nutritional safeguards for infants and ensure that infant nutrition products meet age-appropriate requirements while minimising early exposure to added sugars.
Published in the Gazette of India on October 16, the draft notification has been opened for public consultation. Stakeholders have been invited to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days.
FSSAI will consider the representations received within the prescribed period before finalising the amendment.
The existing regulations establish nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for various categories of infant nutrition products intended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Under the current provisions, lactose and glucose polymers are preferred carbohydrate sources. Sucrose and fructose may be added when required as carbohydrate sources, subject to prescribed limits.
The proposed amendment would introduce a specific restriction on adding sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to six months of age, building on the existing regulatory framework.
The first six months of life are a critical period for growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important. According to the Health Ministry, the proposed restriction is intended to ensure that infant nutrition products meet the needs of this age group while supporting broader public health efforts to address dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and related health challenges.
The initiative also complements established public health recommendations advocating exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
The proposed amendment is intended to support appropriate infant feeding practices and encourage manufacturers to prioritise the specific nutritional requirements of young infants in their product formulations.
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