India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months old. The draft amendment, published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, seeks to strengthen the country’s infant nutrition standards by restricting the use of these added sugars during the earliest stage of life. The proposal is open for public consultation for 60 days, during which stakeholders can submit objections and suggestions before the regulator considers finalising the change.
The proposed amendment would tighten existing rules governing infant nutrition products, which currently allow sucrose and/or fructose to be added when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits. The government says the restriction aims to minimise unnecessary early exposure to added sugars and encourage formulations that meet infants’ nutritional requirements. The proposal is limited to products intended for babies up to six months old; it is not a blanket ban on sugar in every baby-food product, and it is not yet a final enforceable regulation.
Key Takeaways
- Regulator: FSSAI has published a draft amendment to India’s infant nutrition regulations.
- Proposed restriction: Manufacturers would be prohibited from adding sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to six months of age.
- Consultation period: The draft is open for objections and suggestions for 60 days.
- Current rules: Existing regulations permit sucrose and/or fructose in certain products when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to limits.
- Public health objective: The government wants to reduce unnecessary early exposure to added sugars and support appropriate infant nutrition.
- Not yet final: The proposal must go through the consultation and regulatory process before it becomes an enforceable amendment.
- Scope: The proposed restriction concerns products for infants up to six months, not all foods marketed for older babies and toddlers.
What Has FSSAI Proposed?
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, proposes adding a specific condition to the existing Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
The proposed provision states that sucrose and fructose must not be added to products intended for infants up to six months of age.
The change would strengthen the rules governing how infant nutrition products are formulated. Rather than relying only on existing conditions and limits for certain carbohydrate sources, the new provision would establish a specific prohibition on adding the two named sugars to products for this age group.
| Regulatory detail | What the draft says |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
| Draft amendment | Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 |
| Publication in Gazette | October 16, 2026 |
| Products covered | Food products intended for infants up to six months of age |
| Proposed restriction | No added sucrose or fructose |
| Public consultation | 60 days |
| Current status | Draft proposal, not a final enforceable amendment |
The consultation period allows manufacturers, nutrition experts, healthcare professionals, consumer groups and other interested parties to provide feedback. FSSAI will consider the representations received before deciding whether to finalise the amendment and whether any changes to the draft are necessary.
The distinction between a draft and a final regulation is important for both businesses and consumers. The announcement signals a proposed change in regulatory requirements, but it should not be interpreted as an immediate nationwide enforcement order.
How the Proposal Changes Existing Infant Nutrition Rules
India’s existing infant nutrition regulations establish requirements covering nutritional composition, quality and safety for products intended for children from birth through 24 months of age.
Under the current provisions, lactose and glucose polymers are preferred carbohydrate sources. Sucrose and/or fructose can be added when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits.
The new draft seeks to introduce a stricter rule for products intended for infants up to six months old.
This means the proposal is not an attempt to remove every source of carbohydrates from infant nutrition products. Carbohydrates are an important component of infant nutrition, and products must continue to meet the applicable nutritional requirements.
Instead, the draft targets the addition of two specific sugars to products for the youngest age group. Manufacturers would need to formulate products in accordance with the final requirements if the amendment is adopted.
The distinction also matters because naturally occurring sugars and added sugars are not necessarily treated identically under food regulations. The proposal specifically addresses the addition of sucrose and fructose; it should not be simplified into a claim that all sugars or carbohydrates would be prohibited in infant formula.
Why the Government Wants to Restrict Added Sugars
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says the proposal is intended to strengthen nutritional safeguards during the first six months of life.
Early infancy is a critical period for growth and development. During this time, appropriate nutrition is important for supporting a child’s development and establishing healthy feeding practices.
The government has said the proposed restriction is designed to reduce unnecessary exposure to added sugars. It also connects the measure with broader public health efforts to address dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and other health challenges.
The policy aligns with established public health recommendations that support exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life when possible and appropriate. Infant feeding decisions can depend on individual circumstances, and parents who need guidance should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
The draft does not mean that every infant nutrition product containing a named ingredient is automatically unsafe. Rather, it reflects a proposed change in the standards manufacturers must meet for products intended for a specific age group.
The public consultation process gives stakeholders an opportunity to assess how the proposed restriction can be implemented while ensuring products continue to meet infants’ nutritional needs.
What Are Sucrose and Fructose?
Sucrose and fructose are types of sugar, but they are chemically different.
Sucrose is commonly known as table sugar. It is a disaccharide made up of glucose and fructose. Fructose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in fruits and some other foods, and it can also be used as an ingredient in manufactured products.
In food manufacturing, sugars can contribute sweetness and provide carbohydrates. However, the nutritional role of an ingredient depends on the product, the quantity used and the needs of the intended consumer.
For infant nutrition products, formulation requirements are especially important because babies have specific nutritional needs during early development. Manufacturers must ensure that products comply with applicable standards for composition and safety.
The FSSAI proposal focuses on the addition of sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to six months. It does not establish a general prohibition on every ingredient that contains sugar or every naturally occurring carbohydrate.
Understanding that distinction is important for avoiding confusion when the draft is discussed online or when consumers review product labels.
What It Could Mean for Baby Food Manufacturers
If the amendment is finalised in its proposed form, manufacturers of covered infant nutrition products would need to ensure that their formulations comply with the new restriction.
Companies may need to review ingredient lists, manufacturing processes, product specifications and quality-control systems. Any required reformulation would also need to preserve the nutritional adequacy, stability, safety and quality of the finished product.
The impact will depend on the formulations currently used by individual manufacturers. Products that do not add sucrose or fructose may require fewer changes than products that rely on these ingredients as part of their carbohydrate formulation.
Manufacturers may also need to review packaging and product information to ensure that labels accurately reflect the final formulation and comply with applicable regulations.
The 60-day consultation period provides an opportunity for industry participants to raise practical questions about implementation. They may comment on technical requirements, formulation alternatives, testing procedures and the time needed to comply if the draft is adopted.
However, the proposal does not itself confirm which manufacturers will need to change their products or how much reformulation could cost. Those details depend on existing formulations and the final version of the regulation.
What Parents and Caregivers Should Know
For parents and caregivers, the immediate point is that FSSAI has proposed a regulatory change rather than announced a final ban already in force.
Consumers should not assume that every infant nutrition product will be affected in the same way. The proposal applies specifically to products intended for infants up to six months of age, and the final requirements will depend on the regulatory process.
Parents should follow product instructions and consult healthcare professionals when choosing infant nutrition products. If a baby requires formula or another specialised product, decisions should be based on the child’s needs and appropriate medical guidance rather than assumptions drawn from a draft regulation.
The proposed amendment also should not be interpreted as a reason to switch products without advice or to alter an infant’s feeding routine independently.
As the consultation proceeds, consumers can look for official announcements from FSSAI and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to understand whether the draft is finalised and when any new requirements would take effect.
The 60-Day Consultation: What Happens Next?
The draft notification invites objections and suggestions within 60 days from the date on which the relevant Gazette notification is made available to the public.
Representations can be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI at its New Delhi office or through the email address specified in the notification: regulation@fssai.gov.in.
The regulator will consider the submissions received during the prescribed period before finalising the amendment. Feedback may lead to clarification, changes to the draft or confirmation of the proposed provision.
The consultation stage is a standard part of the regulatory process. It allows the regulator to gather information from parties that may be affected by the proposed rule and assess whether the amendment can be implemented effectively.
Until a final amendment is notified, manufacturers and consumers should distinguish the draft proposal from the requirements currently in force.
The Bigger Picture
The proposed restriction reflects increasing regulatory attention to the nutritional composition of foods intended for infants. By targeting the addition of sucrose and fructose in products for babies up to six months, FSSAI is seeking to strengthen safeguards during a period when nutrition plays an important role in growth and development.
The proposal also highlights the balance regulators must strike between public health objectives and the technical requirements of food manufacturing. The final outcome will depend on the consultation process and the regulator’s assessment of the feedback received. For manufacturers, the key issue will be compliance with any final requirements; for parents, the immediate priority is to rely on appropriate feeding guidance and verified regulatory information.
Looking Ahead
FSSAI will consider objections and suggestions submitted during the 60-day consultation period before deciding whether to finalise the amendment. The next significant development will be the publication of a final regulation or further official guidance clarifying the requirements and implementation timeline. Until then, the proposed prohibition should not be treated as an already enforceable nationwide ban.
If the amendment is adopted, manufacturers will need to ensure that products intended for infants up to six months meet the final requirements while continuing to satisfy applicable nutritional and safety standards. The proposal’s longer-term impact will depend on the final regulatory wording, industry compliance and how the change fits into India’s broader infant nutrition and preventive healthcare policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What has FSSAI proposed?
FSSAI has proposed prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age.
2. Is the ban already in force?
No. The measure is a draft amendment open for public consultation for 60 days. It must go through the regulatory process before becoming a final enforceable amendment.
3. Does the proposal cover all baby food products?
No. The proposed restriction specifically applies to products intended for infants up to six months old. It should not be described as a blanket ban on sugar in every product for babies and toddlers.
4. Why does the government want to restrict added sucrose and fructose?
The stated objective is to minimise unnecessary early exposure to added sugars, strengthen infant nutrition safeguards and support healthy growth and development.
5. What happens to manufacturers if the draft is finalised?
Manufacturers of covered products would need to comply with the final requirements, which may involve reviewing ingredients, formulations, quality controls and product labelling.
6. Should parents change their baby’s feeding routine because of this announcement?
The draft proposal is not a reason to change an infant’s feeding routine independently. Parents and caregivers should follow appropriate product instructions and seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional when needed.
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