Aimed at restricting the use of added sugar in infant nutrition, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed to prohibit the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months of age.

The food regulator has issued a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020 to amend the regulation 3 to include a proviso under sub regulation 6 which states, “provided that sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months.”

The draft, as per FSSAI, aims to reinforce current rules by ensuring infant nutrition products match age-related needs, especially by reducing added sugars in early life.

“The existing regulations prescribe comprehensive nutritional composition, quality and safety standards for various categories of infant nutrition products intended for children from birth up to 24 months of age. Under the current provisions, lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred sources of carbohydrates, while sucrose and/or fructose may be added only when required as a carbohydrate source, subject to prescribed limits,” reads a statement issued by the FSSAI.

FSSAI noted that the first six months of life form a vital stage for healthy growth and development, so suitable nutrition is especially important. The proposed restriction aims to ensure infant nutrition products satisfy the needs of this age group without adding unnecessary sucrose and fructose. This step also supports wider public health efforts to tackle issues related to early exposure to added sugars, such as dietary risks linked to childhood obesity and related health problems.

FSSAI further added that draft notification has been published for public consultation, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders while the representations received within the prescribed period will be considered by FSSAI before finalisation of the amendment.