To strengthen nutritional safeguards for infants, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which proposes to prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age.
Published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026, the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, aim to further tighten the existing regulatory framework by ensuring that infant nutrition products are formulated in line with age-appropriate nutritional requirements, with a particular focus on minimising exposure to added sugars in the earliest stages of life.
The current regulations lay down comprehensive nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for various categories of infant nutrition products meant for children from birth up to 24 months of age. Under the current provisions, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred sources of carbohydrates, while sucrose and/or fructose may be added only when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits.
Taking these provisions further, the draft amendment proposes a specific restriction on adding sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to six months of age. The proposed provision states that "sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months".
Since the first six months of life are a critical period for healthy growth and development, appropriate nutrition during this time is especially important. The proposed restriction aims to ensure that infant nutrition products meet the nutritional needs of this age group without the unnecessary addition of sucrose and fructose. The measure is also meant to support wider public health efforts to tackle concerns linked to early exposure to added sugars, including dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and related health challenges.
The initiative is in line with established public health recommendations that promote exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. By strengthening the standards for infant nutrition products, the proposed amendment aims to support appropriate infant feeding practices and encourage manufacturers to adopt formulations that give priority to the specific nutritional requirements of young infants.
The proposed regulatory step reflects FSSAI's continued focus on science-based food standards, responsible product formulation and preventive nutrition. It also highlights the importance of protecting children's nutritional well-being from the earliest stages of life as an integral part of the country's broader public health priorities.
The draft notification has been published for public consultation, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 60 days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the notification are made available to the public. The representations received within the prescribed period will be considered by FSSAI before finalisation of the amendment.
The Gazette notification is available at:
https://egazette.gov.in/(S(3nckv5a5rxblmebm3laawlkr))/ViewPDF.aspx