Pariksha SaathiFSSAI proposes ban on added sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026, proposing that 'sucrose and fructose shall not be added in the products intended for infants up to the age of 6 months', the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on 17 October. The 2020 regulations being amended set composition, quality and safety standards for infant nutrition products for children from birth to 24 months; they make lactose and glucose polymers the preferred carbohydrate sources and now allow sucrose and/or fructose only when required, within limits. The ministry said the change aims to limit early exposure to added sugars, a dietary risk factor linked to childhood obesity, and complements recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months. Objections and suggestions can be sent within 60 days of the Gazette copies being made available, and FSSAI will consider them before finalising the amendment.
Drafted with AI assistance from the official PIB release linked above and checked against it by a second AI pass. Not line-edited by a human.
Learning context
WHO and UNICEF recommend that children begin breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, meaning no other foods or liquids, including water. WHO notes that fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed. World Breastfeeding Week is observed from 1 to 7 August.
Reference: World Health Organization, Breastfeeding
Check yourself: is the restriction already in force?
No. It is a draft amendment published for public consultation; objections and suggestions received within 60 days will be considered before FSSAI finalises it.
Revision task: from this release, note the regulation being amended, the proposed rule, the age covered and the consultation period, and keep them apart from the standing WHO recommendation above.
Test yourself
FSSAI's draft amendment published in October 2026 proposes that sucrose and fructose shall not be added to products for infants up to what age?
Show the answer
Answer: 6 months
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published on 16 October 2026, propose the restriction for infants up to the age of 6 months; the existing regulations cover products from birth to 24 months.
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