India’s food safety regulator has proposed removing sucrose and fructose from foods for babies up to six months, with the public invited to comment before the rules are finalised.
India’s food safety regulator has published a draft amendment that would prohibit the use of added sucrose and fructose in foods made for infants up to six months old, tightening standards for products aimed at the youngest children. According to ANI, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued the draft on Friday as part of a wider push to strengthen nutrition rules for infant foods and limit sugar exposure in early life.
The proposal would remove an existing allowance that lets manufacturers use sucrose or fructose as carbohydrate sources in some baby foods, provided they remain within set limits. Under the draft, products intended for babies up to six months of age would no longer be permitted to contain either sugar. The regulator says the first six months are a critical period for growth and development, and that products for this age group should meet nutritional needs without adding ingredients that are not considered necessary. The move also reflects broader public health efforts to reduce children’s exposure to added sugar, which has been linked to later obesity and related health problems.
The draft is also in step with long-standing guidance that recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth. By tightening the standards for infant food, the authority appears to be aiming for products that better match the specific dietary needs of very young babies. Existing rules already set detailed requirements for the nutritional composition, quality and safety of foods made for children from birth to 24 months.
FSSAI has opened the draft for public comment, and objections or suggestions may be submitted within 60 days of the date the official gazette notice is made available. Before finalising the change, the regulator will review the feedback it receives. The draft places the proposed amendment within a broader effort to promote science-based food safety rules and responsible manufacturing practices, while giving greater emphasis to protecting children’s nutrition from the earliest stage of life.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
