Food regulator proposes ban on added sugars in infant formula

FSSAI is proposing that infant formula intended for babies up to six months must not contain added sweeteners such as sucrose and fructose. These ingredients are added sugars used to make processed foods taste sweeter. The proposal would change the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations of 2019.

The existing rules allow lactose and glucose polymers as carbohydrate sources, within a stated limit. The draft amendment adds a clear restriction: sucrose and fructose cannot be added to products intended for infants up to six months. This distinguishes permitted carbohydrate sources from sweeteners deliberately added to the product.

The change is meant to protect nutrition during a critical growth period. The Health Ministry linked it to concerns about early exposure to added sugars, including childhood obesity and related health challenges. Manufacturers would need to prioritise young infants' nutritional needs and support exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months.

The proposed restriction covers infant formula and other relevant products intended for babies from birth through six months of age. For this group, manufacturers would not be allowed to add sweeteners such as sucrose and fructose. The rule focuses on the earliest stage of life, when nutrition is especially important for growth and development.

Children older than six months would not be covered by this specific ban. Companies could continue using sucrose and fructose in products for children between six and 24 months, as long as those ingredients remain within permissible limits. The article does not specify those limits.

This creates different requirements for two age groups. Products for younger infants would have to exclude these added sweeteners, while products for older babies and toddlers could retain them under existing conditions. The draft notification was open to objections, comments and suggestions for 60 days.

Under the current Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations of 2019, lactose and glucose polymers are allowed as carbohydrate sources in baby foods. Together, they must not exceed 20 per cent of the product's total carbohydrates. This is the specific limit described in the article.

The rule concerns carbohydrate sources, rather than the proposed ban on added sweeteners. The draft amendment would add a separate condition: sucrose and fructose must not be added to products intended for infants up to six months. In other words, the existing carbohydrate provision would remain part of the regulations, while the new restriction would address added sugars.

The article does not state that the 20 per cent limit would change. It says the proposed amendment changes one requirement and adds the condition against sucrose and fructose for younger infants. Stakeholders have 60 days to submit comments, objections and suggestions before the proposal progresses.

FSSAI focused on the first six months because this is a critical period for healthy growth and development. The Union Health Ministry said appropriate nutrition is especially important then. It also pointed to concerns about early exposure to added sugars, including dietary risks linked to childhood obesity and related health challenges.

The proposed restriction would remove deliberately added sucrose and fructose from formula for this age group. The article explains that the World Health Organization advises against introducing added sugars before age two. This advice aims to prevent habits of consuming excessive sugar, which can contribute to chronic diseases later in life.

The concern extends beyond future disease. The article links excessive sugar consumption in infancy to tooth decay. By preventing added sweeteners in products for the youngest babies, the regulator hopes to encourage healthier formulations and support feeding practices that better match infants' nutritional needs.

The proposal supports exclusive breastfeeding by discouraging added sweeteners in products intended for babies up to six months. The Union Health Ministry said the requirement supports the appropriate feeding practice of exclusive breastfeeding during this period. It therefore connects product standards with a broader infant-feeding recommendation.

The mechanism is straightforward. If formula products for young infants cannot contain added sucrose or fructose, manufacturers must develop formulations without those sweetening agents. The products would need to focus on nutritional requirements rather than added sweetness. The article presents this as support for appropriate feeding, not as a replacement for breastfeeding.

The ministry also said the measure encourages manufacturers to adopt formulations that prioritise young infants' nutritional needs. The proposal remains a draft, however. Stakeholders have 60 days to submit objections, comments and suggestions, so the final requirement could depend on that consultation process.

Added sugars are sweetening agents, such as syrups, that manufacturers put into processed foods and beverages. They differ from natural sugars that are usually present in foods such as fruit and milk. The article focuses on sugars deliberately added during processing, including sweeteners such as sucrose and fructose in infant products.

The concern is that early exposure may encourage habits of consuming excessive sugar. The World Health Organization advises against introducing added sugars before age two. The article says this is intended to prevent addictive habits of excessive sugar consumption. It also links that pattern to chronic diseases, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancers later in life.

The effects may begin earlier than adulthood. Excessive sugar consumption in infancy is linked to tooth decay, according to experts. These concerns explain why FSSAI wants added sweeteners removed from formula for babies up to six months and why the ministry emphasises healthier formulations during early development.