FSSAI Proposes Banning Added Sugars in Infant Foods

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026. The proposal would prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products made for infants up to six months of age.

The draft was published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026. It would amend the rules governing the nutritional composition, quality and safety of infant-nutrition products. The proposal remains subject to the regulatory process, and its final requirements will depend on the provisions ultimately adopted by FSSAI.

Scope of the proposed restriction

Sucrose, commonly known as table sugar, and fructose are used in various food formulations. FSSAI’s proposal specifically addresses their addition to foods intended for infants in the specified age group. It does not establish that every dairy product or all infant-formula products would be covered by the same restriction.

Information released with the draft identifies early exposure to added sugars as a public-health concern because it may affect the development of dietary preferences and later eating habits. The policy direction places emphasis on nutritional standards for products consumed during early infancy, a period associated with growth and development.

Relevance for manufacturers

The proposed amendment is relevant to companies producing infant formula and specialised infant nutrition products. Dairy ingredients are used in many infant-formula products, so the draft may also be relevant to dairy processors, ingredient suppliers and manufacturers of finished products.

Businesses may need to examine ingredient specifications, formulation procedures, quality-assurance systems, labelling and technical documentation. If the final rules require changes, manufacturers would need to maintain the nutritional suitability, safety, stability and consistency of products for infants. They would also have to assess the technical functions of ingredients in existing formulations rather than treating the removal of sugar as a simple one-ingredient replacement.

The proposal distinguishes between naturally occurring sugars and added sugars when describing product composition. Lactose is naturally present in milk, while sucrose can be added separately. The draft identifies added sucrose and fructose; its full provisions would need to be consulted before determining how particular ingredients or products are covered.

Next steps for the supply chain

Companies in the infant-nutrition supply chain can monitor official notifications while the draft proceeds through the regulatory process. Areas for review include ingredient sourcing, formulation compliance, product labels, quality control and supporting technical records.

Manufacturers may also need to work with ingredient suppliers and research-and-development teams if product changes are required. For dairy-ingredient suppliers, any eventual requirements could affect customer specifications and product-development work. The commercial effect would depend on the final rules, the products within their scope and the formulations already used by manufacturers.