Food regulator FSSAI has proposed prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products meant for infants up to six months of age, aiming to reduce early exposure to added sugars.
New Delhi, October 18 — The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed banning the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age.
The proposal is part of a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, aimed at strengthening nutritional safeguards for infants.
According to the Health Ministry, the draft amendment seeks to ensure that infant nutrition products are formulated according to age-appropriate nutritional requirements and do not contain unnecessary added sugars.
The draft has been published for public consultation, and stakeholders can submit objections and suggestions within 60 days.
Under the existing rules, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources in infant nutrition products.
Sucrose and fructose are currently permitted in certain cases when needed as carbohydrate sources, subject to prescribed limits.
The proposed amendment would introduce a specific restriction stating that “sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months.”
The ministry said the first six months of life are a critical stage for healthy growth and development, making appropriate nutrition particularly important.
The proposed restriction is intended to ensure that infant nutrition products meet nutritional needs without unnecessary addition of sucrose and fructose.
The government said the move also supports wider public-health efforts to address concerns linked to early exposure to added sugars, including dietary risk factors associated with childhood obesity and related health problems.
The proposal also complements established recommendations promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
FSSAI said the amendment is intended to encourage manufacturers to adopt formulations that prioritise the nutritional needs of young infants while supporting appropriate infant-feeding practices.
The regulator will consider all representations received during the consultation period before finalising the amendment.
