New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- A baby's first taste of sweetness may soon become a matter of regulation. India's food regulator has proposed a ban on adding sucrose and fructose to food products meant for infants up to six months old, seeking to keep unnecessary added sugars out of their diets during a crucial stage of growth.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed the change through a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020. The proposal, titled the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, is now open for public consultation.
The reasoning is straightforward. During the first six months of life, babies have specific nutritional needs, and what goes into their food matters. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the proposed restriction is intended to ensure that infant nutrition products meet these needs without the unnecessary addition of certain sugars.
"The first six months of life represent a critical period for healthy growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important," the ministry said.
The proposed rule would change how manufacturers formulate infant food. Under the existing regulations, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources. Sucrose and fructose can also be added when required as carbohydrate sources, provided they remain within prescribed limits.
The draft amendment would remove that allowance for products intended for infants up to six months of age. It states that "sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months".
The existing regulations cover nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for infant nutrition products intended for children from birth to 24 months. The proposed change would introduce a specific restriction for the youngest age group.
There is also a wider public health concern behind the move. Early exposure to added sugars is among the dietary factors considered in discussions about childhood obesity and related health problems. The ministry said the proposal forms part of broader efforts to address these risks.
It also aligns with established recommendations encouraging exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
For manufacturers, the proposal could mean reviewing product formulations to ensure they meet the nutritional requirements of young infants without added sucrose or fructose.
The draft is not yet a final rule. FSSAI has invited stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days of the notification's publication. The regulator will consider the feedback before deciding whether to finalise the amendment.
If adopted, the change would tighten India's rules on what can be added to food products intended for babies during their first six months, when nutrition plays a central role in their growth and development.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.