India’s food safety regulator has proposed stricter requirements for infant nutrition products, seeking to prohibit manufacturers from adding sucrose and fructose to products intended for babies up to six months of age.
The proposal is part of the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on October 16. The amendment aims to strengthen nutritional safeguards during early infancy and reduce unnecessary exposure to added sugars.
What Does the Proposed Amendment Say?
Under the existing Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, lactose and glucose polymers are preferred carbohydrate sources in infant nutrition products. Sucrose and fructose may currently be added when required as carbohydrate sources, subject to prescribed limits.
The proposed amendment would remove this allowance for products intended for infants up to six months of age. If finalised, manufacturers would be prohibited from adding sucrose and fructose to products in this category.
The proposal specifically concerns the addition of these sugars. It should not be interpreted as a prohibition on all carbohydrates or all naturally occurring sugars in infant nutrition products.
Why Is FSSAI Proposing the Restriction?
The first six months of life are a critical period for infant growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important.
FSSAI says the proposed restriction is intended to ensure that infant nutrition products meet the needs of this age group without the unnecessary addition of sucrose and fructose. The measure also forms part of wider public health efforts to address concerns associated with early exposure to added sugars and dietary risk factors linked to childhood obesity.
The proposal complements public health recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, where possible. When breastfeeding is not possible or an infant requires an alternative, feeding decisions should be guided by appropriate medical advice.
What Could It Mean for Infant Formula Manufacturers?
If the amendment is adopted, manufacturers of infant nutrition products intended for babies up to six months will need to ensure their formulations comply with the revised requirements.
Potential areas of impact include:
- Product formulation: Reviewing carbohydrate sources and ingredient specifications.
- Research and development: Assessing suitable formulations that meet nutritional requirements.
- Quality assurance: Updating product checks and regulatory compliance procedures.
- Labelling and documentation: Reviewing product information and formulation records where necessary.
The scale of any operational impact will depend on the final wording of the regulations and the formulations currently used by individual manufacturers. The draft proposal does not itself announce an immediate product recall, withdrawal or retail price change.
Public Consultation Before Finalisation
The proposed amendment has been published for public consultation. FSSAI has invited stakeholders to submit objections and suggestions within 60 days from the date on which copies of the relevant Gazette notification are made available to the public.
The regulator will consider submissions received within the prescribed period before finalising the amendment. Until that process is completed and the rules take effect, the proposed restriction should be treated as a draft rather than an enforceable new requirement.
What This Means for India's Food and Dairy Industry
The proposal highlights the growing importance of nutritional composition and regulatory compliance in products designed for infants.
For manufacturers operating in the infant nutrition market, formulation decisions may face closer scrutiny as regulators focus on age-appropriate nutrition and responsible ingredient use. Companies will need to monitor the final regulations and assess any necessary changes to product development and manufacturing processes.
FSSAI’s proposal could tighten the rules governing added sucrose and fructose in infant nutrition products for babies up to six months. The immediate priority for manufacturers is to follow the consultation process and prepare for the final regulatory requirements.
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Source: Read full story here 23 Oct, 2026 Edited and Reported by
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