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, proposing to prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age. According to the latest reports, the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 has been published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, with stakeholders able to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days. The objective is to strengthen nutritional safeguards for infants by minimising early exposure to added sugar during this critical developmental period, directly addressing public health concerns about rising childhood obesity. The proposed rules could have significant implications for India's expanding baby food industry, which MarkNtel Advisors valued at $1.16 billion in 2024 and projects to reach $1.98 billion by 2030.
Under the existing regulations, comprehensive nutritional composition, quality and safety standards are prescribed for various categories of infant nutrition products meant for children from birth up to 24 months of age. As reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred sources of carbohydrates, with sucrose and/or fructose permitted only when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits. The proposed amendment introduces a specific restriction on the addition of sucrose and fructose in products intended for infants up to six months of age, with the draft notification stating "Sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months." The draft amendment seeks to further strengthen the existing regulatory framework by ensuring that infant nutrition products are formulated in accordance with age-appropriate nutritional requirements, with particular emphasis on minimising exposure to added sugars during the earliest stages of life.
The ministry emphasised that the first six months of life represent a critical period for healthy growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important. According to the latest FSSAI reports, the proposed restriction seeks to ensure that infant nutrition products meet the nutritional needs of this age group without unnecessary addition of sucrose and fructose. The ministry stated that the emphasis is on minimising exposure to added sugars during the earliest stages of life, with the initiative complementing established public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and supporting broader public health efforts to address concerns associated with early exposure to added sugars, including dietary risk factors linked to childhood obesity and related health challenges. The proposal follows an April 2024 controversy sparked by an international Swiss investigation that found Nestlé added sugar to Cerelac sold in India while offering sugar-free versions in Europe, highlighting the need for stricter regulatory oversight.
The proposed amendment seeks to support appropriate infant feeding practices and encourages manufacturers to adopt formulations that prioritise the specific nutritional requirements of young infants. As reported by the ministry, FSSAI focuses on science-based food standards, responsible product formulation and preventive nutrition. The regulator would consider all representations received within the prescribed period before finalisation of the amendment, ensuring stakeholder input in the regulatory process. By tightening nutritional standards, the FSSAI aims to encourage manufacturers to develop formulations that prioritise the nutritional needs of young infants while supporting appropriate feeding practices and addressing public health concerns about rising childhood obesity. Dr Meena J, senior consultant in paediatrics and neonatology at Aakash Healthcare, welcomed the proposal, saying it could help establish healthier dietary habits early in life.
