India's food regulator proposes ban on added sugars in infant foods

India’s food safety authority has suggested banning the addition of sucrose and fructose to infant foods, aiming to reduce exposure to added sugars and curb childhood obesity. Currently, lactose and glucose are preferred in infant nutrition products, but sucrose and fructose may be included under certain conditions. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that the proposed rule seeks to address the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption in young children.

The regulations already govern the nutritional composition, quality, and safety of foods for infants aged up to 24 months. Concerns about obesity have grown, with India projected to have 450 million overweight adults by 2050, according to a Lancet study. Recently, the FSSAI and state regulators have ramped up food safety inspections, sharing images and videos of raids online.

In August, the FSSAI proposed a warning label for foods high in sugar, salt, or saturated fat, but modified the proposal after backlash, requiring a warning if any nutrient exceeds the set limit.