New Delhi, March 13 -- India plans to completely ban added sugar in all baby food products to combat rising obesity and metabolic diseases in the country, according to two government officials aware of the development.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is drafting a "zero-added sugar" standard for infants aged 6 to 24 months under the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations. The proposal is to allow only naturally occurring lactose in dairy-based products, the people said.

Current regulations allow carbohydrates such as lactose and glucose polymers in infant foods, while limiting added sugars such as sucrose and fructose to 20% of total carbohydrates.

If implemented, the rule would affe...